1910 Shriners New Orleans Clear Souvenir Champagne Glass

I purchased this Shriner souvenir champagne glass from Ray & Shirley Henry during the 2015 Tampa Bay Convention. I can thank them for selling me my first Shriner champagne glass which kicked off the beginning of a really fun and educational collection for me.

I have read in several places in my research that Westmoreland and U.S. Glass companies were commissioned to make these through the years as souvenirs for the different annual conventions held all over the country. The owner of Westmoreland, Mr. West, was a Shriner himself. What better way to give of himself and his business.

This particular example is 4 3/8" high and 3 3/4" wide and has a lobed or scalloped foot, measuring 2 3/4" wide. It's heavily decorated with gilt and polychrome pressed decoration. It has a flash of light, delicate iridescence which makes it shine like crazy.

The symbols on it include the logo of the Syrian Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. This 1910 session took place in New Orleans so the Mardi Gras masque of King Neptune and the two swamp gators (alligators) up each side of the stem were chosen for the theme of this glass.

The tradition of making these and other glass souvenirs started in 1893 and continued every year until 1918.

For more information about this exact glass, please visit the Pheonixmasonry Masonic Museum.

The Christina Katsikas Collection