Libbey Silver Leaf Glasses

Crazy about the television show "MAD MEN"? Love that sophisticated 60's look? Here's a really inexpensive way to put some of that "MAD MEN" punch into your bar glassware - Libbey Silver Leaf Glasses!

The Libbey Glass Company is one of the longest running and most commonly recognized companies in glass manufacturing. It started business in 1818 and comes out of Toledo, Ohio. The Silver Leaf glassware pattern is one of Libbey's lines which was produced from 1953-1978. It is plentiful and relatively cheap for glassware and is readily available at yard sales, estate sales and antique shops. I've picked them up for as little as a quarter a glass and have never paid more than a few dollars per glass.

Once you have spotted it, you'll always know it. The pattern has a bit of frosting on the glass with silver leaves going around the body and a silver rim at the top. 

The Silver Leaf pattern came in a multitude of shapes and sizes including sherbets (or champagnes, both short & tall stem), wines, waters, pilsners, iced teas, juices, and several straight sided sizes including Hi balls (or On-the-rocks or Old fashions as they were called back in the day). There are also a few other pieces I've come across including an ice bucket, small pitchers, and Cream & sugars.

One word of caution: don't put these in the dishwasher! If you do, you will compromise the applied silver design. As is typical of many of the glassware items made in the 50's and 60's before dishwashers were found in every home, these glasses were just not made for the punishment of a dishwasher. If you don't like to hand wash glasses, you shouldn't buy these. But if you don't mind washing them, they will give you a really classy 60's look at really great prices!