U.S. Glass Palm Beach Amethyst Whimsey Bulbous Pinched-Top Vase

This exotic vase is very rare and even more so in amethyst. It was purchased at the August, 2014 Tom Burns auction featuring the estate of the late Bill Richards, Sr. who is survived by his wife Carole and son Billy, Jr.

I purchased this dark beauty sight unseen and Boy! did it exceed my expectations. It was larger than I imagined, measuring 7 3/4" tall. This is because it was made from the jardiniere. I was happy when Tom offered to deliver this to me when we could meet during the 2014 NECGA convention a month later. He would also bring along several other pieces of Palm Beach I won all in the same sitting.

It took Bill Richads a lifetime to put this Palm Beach collection together. I just couldn't pass up all his time and effort. It would take me quite a while to find all these beautiful examples myself. 

Around midnight at the convention, Tom and I had a cozy audience in his room as he and I unwrapped each piece and passed them around to the curious club members. They'd never seen so many pieces in this pattern, all in one place, in different colors, and in so many different whimsical shapes.

I'm so honored to have a piece of this historic collection today. A big "Thank you" goes out to Tom Burns, Bill Sr., Billy Jr., & Carole Richards for all you've done to promote this hobby. You will always be remembered as the pioneers of Carnival Glass.

The Christina Katsikas Collection