Library

List of Reference Books and Information Sources on Victorian Salt and Sugar Shakers

This section is devoted to books in the AGSSSC Library and also to reference books available from bookstores and online that help our members learn more about the salt shaker collecting that we all love.

The World of Salt Shakers Second Edition by Mildred & Ralph Lechner
Collector Books 1992 (2 printings) (sometimes referred to as Volume 2)
If you are a beginning salt shaker collector, this may be the first book you should try to find. It is still available in some shops, Amazon.com and sometimes on eBay. Prices and maker attributions may need updating.

The World of Salt Shakers Volume 3 by Mildred & Ralph Lechner
Collector Books 1998.
Either the first or second book for the salt shaker collector. Prices and maker attributions may need updating.

The World of Salt Shakers by Mildred & Ralph Lechner
Collector Books 1976
Not recommended for research – most of the pictures and data are contained in the above volumes. Small book.

Glass Salt Shakers 1000 Patterns by Arthur Peterson
Wallace Homestead Co. 1970
Before the Lechner Books, this was the Classic salt shaker book that every collector had to have. Many pattern names we have today came from Peterson and this book. Black and white photos only, no prices, and small size, but accuracy is high and it should be a must for serious shaker collectors.

Salt & Salt Shakers by Arthur Peterson
1960
Early Peterson book of first 500 or so shakers that are all contained in above book.

333 Glass Salt Shakers by Arthur Peterson
1965 Addendum to first 500. All are contained in above books.

Glass Patents & Patterns by Arthur Peterson
1973
An interesting book as Peterson worked in the patent Office. Contains several articles he wrote for Hobbies Magazine.

Encyclopedia of Victorian Colored Pattern Glass by Bill Heacock
Bill Heacock was a super researcher from the mid seventies to mid eighties. He published many articles and books and magazines. Too numerous to list here, at least for now. Heacock is a highly recommended author for the beginning to advanced collector. Price guides are of course out of date.

Encyclopedia of Victorian Colored Pattern Glass by Bill Heacock Vol 1 Toothpick Holders A to Z 1976
Encyclopedia of Victorian Colored Pattern Glass by Bill Heacock Vol 3 Syrups, Sugar Shakers & Cruets 1976
Encyclopedia of Victorian Colored Pattern Glass by Bill Heacock Vol 4 Custard Glass 1976
Encyclopedia of Victorian Colored Pattern Glass by Bill Heacock & Fred Bickenheuser Vol 5 U S Glass 1975
Encyclopedia of Victorian Colored Pattern Glass by Bill Heacock Vol 6 Oil Cruets 1981
Encyclopedia of Victorian Colored Pattern Glass by Bill Heacock Vol 7 Ruby Stained Glass 1986

Heacock’s research was ongoing so later editions are more accurate. Vol 2 was Opalescent Glass, Vol 9 was Cranberry Opalescent Glass; these were combined and updated in the book listed below.

Opalescent Glass from A to Z by Bill Heacock & Revised by JoAnn Elmore Vol 2 and Vol 9 (Combined) 2000

1000 Toothpicks by Bill Heacock 1977 (Bill was a toothpick collector)

Rare and Unlisted Toothpicks by Bill Heacock 1984

Glass Toothpick Holders by Bredehoft & Sanford Collector Books 1999
A must to get latest updates on Pattern Glass Toothpicks; many of these patterns were also made in Salt Shakers. Accurate Researchers.

Milk Glass/Pattern Glass, Book 1, The Blown Molded Patterns is the first book published by new AGSSSC member Brad Gougeon, what we hope will be a series of milk glass/pattern glass books. This book may be purchased directly from Brad for $20 plus $4 shipping and handling. Contact him at 2515 E. Pineoak Ct., Midland, MI 48642.
To send an email to Brad, click here.
If you would like to read a review of this book, click here.

There are many general glass books on Pattern Glass and books about Victorian glass houses. These will be listed and reviewed during the next several months.

In addition to the list of books in the AGSSSC library, other books not in the Library but recommended will be added to the above list and reviewed. This site will also offer links to other websites with interest to our members. Some examples are listed below. Do you have any others you would like to add?

New Bedford Museum of Glass
Houston Museum of Decorative Arts
National Heisey Glass Museum
The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia
Phoenix and Consolidated Glass Collector Club
Vaseline Glass Collectors, Inc.