The only comprehensive reference book regarding internationally produced glassware for the home, 20th Century Factory Glass is required reading for glass collectors and enthusiasts alike. Featuring every great designer, from Louis Comfort Tiffany to Alvar Aalto, as well as companies from Baccarat to Steuben, this volume provides clues to identifying marks, codes, and labels. Sure, glass has been around since ancient Mesopotamia, but some say the real art of glass wasn't developed until relatively recently. In 250 pages filled with photographs and information, 20th Century Factory Glass examines the myriad ways that a few minerals can combine with high heat to create delicate and colorful objects of beauty. In an effort to simplify material, the sections are arranged not by time period, but alphabetically by artist or company. From Fenton to Whitefriars, Anchor Hocking to Orrefors, author Lesley Jackson has collected information on nearly 100 manufacturers, and the text includes facts about the financial history of the company, as well as its artistic inspirations. There are many books devoted to Tiffany stained glass, but how many of them discuss his Aquamarine glass, or the business backing he provided for the Nash family to conduct glass-related experiments? Companies such as Ravenhead, one of the pioneers in machine-made glass, are also discussed in detail, with the fully automatic Westlake machine playing a prominent part. The accompanying photos for each section were chosen to showcase the variety from each designer, rather than focusing on one spectacular piece. As many of these companies were in business for most of the century, Jackson takes care to demonstrate stylistic changes throughout the decades. Orrefors is a perfect example of these changes. In the '90s, they were recognized for clean lines coupled with striking variations in thickness--but closer to the time of their founding in 1898, their designs featured elaborate engravings and Graal patterns. Whether you plan to use it for looking or learning, this book is an educational treat. --Jill Lightner Lesley Jackson, writer and curator, organized a major exhibition on Whitefriars Glass and co-wrote the accompanying catalog.