Iconic Glassware Companies Fall to Economy

Of great interest to not just workers but collectors world wide, particularly in UK and the USA is the recent fall from grace of companies such as that which declared their bankruptcy just twelve hours ago.

Waterford-Wedgwood, a company which  conjoined two powerhouses in crystal and china, collectibles of all varieties, tonight seeks protection from creditors, a company which was formed in mid seventeen hundreds.

While it may seem that with the downturn in the economy, company that are new and untried, will likely fail, it does seem disheartening that companies such as these, which have survived mega conflicts, wars, depressions and recessions, taken virtually every kind of hit on their corporate chin and not faltered, should fail for nothing less than a bad economy.

The company, who also purchased Royal Doulton in 2005, has high hopes that they can be purchased and restructured. So do we.

Other companies to fall by the wayside in recent months include Spode, the manufacturers of fine glassware, and in the not too distant past, we’ve seen Diamond glassware, along with Flat River Glass, Anchor Glass and multiple other companies  restructure, or hopefully restructure to give themselves a second chance.

What does that mean to you as the collector? Probably  that as with any other downturn in the economic picture, people are sticking more to necessities than to the collectible and the extra little luxuries.

It could also change what we pay and how frequently we can purchase those products so perhaps now is the time to buy that china cup and saucer you’ve been wanting.

It does seem less than kind to take advantage of the bad fortune of any company but a smart collector will grab  one or two of their products when the company’s future is uncertain.

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