Imperial Grape Contemporary, Imperial


Imperial seems to have lauched the concept of reproducing Carnival Glass by using existing molds and iridizing them the same way as the originals. When this proved popular, they added shapes that had not been produced during the classic era but that might appeal to new collectors. Upper left is a typical offering of a pitcher and tumbler that matches the old examples pretty well. It's in smoke. Above right are a cruet and a 1/4 pound butter dish--neither of which is found in older Carnival. At the left are a creamer and sugar, again not made during the classic era. Lower right is a small bowl, also found only in new glass. Other shapes you'll run into are candleholders, carafes, compotes, covered candy dishes, footed juice glasses, goblets, pickle dishes, milk pitchers, punch sets, salt and pepper shakers, and wine sets. Here are a few prices, mostly from eBay:
Water sets
Amethyst, 7 pieces, 108 (2004)
Green, 9 pieces, 76 (2003)
Marigold, 7 pieces, 76, 144 (2003)

Water pitchers
Amber, 45 (2007)
Green, 8 1/4" tall, 31 (2003)
Marigold, 7 1/2" tall, 14 (2003)
Smoke, 30 (2000)

Milk pitchers
Amber, 33 (2007)
Green, 25 (2000), 28 (2003), 28 (2007)
Ice green, 38 (2000)
Marigold, 13 (2007)
Smoke, 15 (2002), 29 (2003), 25 (2007)
White, 25 (2000)

Tumblers
Marigold, about 10
Purple, about 10
Smoke (peacock), about 10

Sugar and creamer
Smoke (peacock), 13, 32 (2003)

Goblets, 5 1/2 inch
Azure blue, about 10
Smoke, about 10

Shakers, pair, 4-4 1/2 inches tall
Marigold, 20-40
Meadow green, rare, narrow version,
   26 pairs made, 56 (2003)
Purple, 30-50
Smoke, 104 (eBay 2008)

Carafe, 9 1/2 inches tall
Smoke, 35 (2004), 20 (2006)

Candlesticks, pair, 3 1/2" tall
Marigold, 16 (2004)
Smoke (peacock), 43 (2004)

Cruets with stopper (no handle), 7 1/2 inch
Purple, 35 (2003)
Smoke (peacock), 36 (2003), 30 (2007)

Vase or cruet without stopper, 6 inch
Blue, flat top, 23 (2003)
Marigold, 12, 15, 46 (2003)

Butter dish, stick type
Smoke (peacock), 10 (2003)

Nut bowl
Amethyst, 15, 18, 23 (2003)
Marigold, 10, 13, 25 (2003)
Smoke (peacock), 10-16

Covered compote, 9-9 1/2 inches
Blue, 25-40

Covered candy, 5-5 1/2 inches
Amethyst/lavender, 17 (2003), 33 (2004)
Blue, 65 (2007)

Oval relish, 2 handles, 8 inches long
Marigold, 8 (2003)
Smoke (peacock), 20 (2003)

Punch set, 12 cups
Ice blue, 1979, #108/750, 332 (2004)

Wine sets
Green, 8 goblets, 153 (2003)
Smoke, 6 goblets, 113 (2004)

Wine decanter, with stopper
Blue, 47 (eBay 2008)
Green, 35 (2007)
Smoke, 45 (2007)

Wine glasses, 4-4 1/4 inch tall
Ice blue, single, 6 (2004)
Marigold, set of 6, 53 (2003)
Marigold, set of 4, 21 (2003)

Mugs were not made during the classic era. When I picked up this mug on eBay, I asked John Valentine if he knew anything about it. Here's what he said: "The Green Mug you have was made by Pioneer Glass Works, they were a small operation that worked in the Imperial Factory for a while after the factory was closed. They did use some of the Imperial moulds, but did put different marking on them to identify what they had made."

Cobalt, marked 1987, 16 (2004)
Green, marked 1988, 7 (2003)

1/27/08