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Cambridge Paper Label

Genuine Hand Made Cambridge Paper Label (1938-1958)

 

paper4-1.jpg (17036 bytes)
figure 1

paper4-2.jpg (7901 bytes)

figure 2

The last general line trademark is the GENUINE HAND MADE CAMBRIDGE paper label. This label is shown in figure 1 and differs only slightly from the Cambridge label which preceded it. The tri-c-20.jpg (846 bytes) was dropped and emphasis was placed on the word CAMBRIDGE. In addition to the paper label in figure 1, the word CAMBRIDGE shown in figure 2 was registered with the U. S. Patent office. Both applications were filed September 19, 1947 under the new trademark act of 1946 in class 33-glassware. Registration #514037 covers the label in figure 1 and registration 514036 covers the word CAMBRIDGE in figure 2.

In both registrations Cambridge claimed usage since 1927; however, clarification is required. It has been established that the CAMBRIDGE paper labels were used in 4 forms from 1927 to 1937. This label first appeared in advertising in early 1938 and was also announced to the trade in an article in China, Glass and Lamps in January, 1938. The label remained in this format until the final closing of the plant in 1958. However, there are variations in size and paper.

The oldest versions, like the versions which preceded it, were printed with black ink on yellow paper and have appeared in two sizes, The most frequently observed size measures 20mm x 12mm while the larger size, 28mm x 16mm, is occasionally observed, It has not been possible to identify any specific time frame for the larger label since the few pieces observed so far, appear to have been produced throughout the entire date range of 1937-1958.

A different paper stock was used at the end and these labels are also 20mm x 12mm but printed with black ink on gold foil paper. The foil label was used during the reopened period 1955-1958. An order was placed 6-1-1955 with Foilcraft Printing Corporation, Brooklyn, New York, and invoiced 8-17-1955 for 248,400 labels. This date would be the first usage of the gold foil label that continued in usage to the final closing at the end of 1958. Some of these labels remained unused and were picked up after the plant closing by a dealer. For this reason, it may be possible to find gold foil labels on non-Cambridge glass or on Cambridge glass produced during an earlier period.

In summary, the following date ranges apply to the GENUINE HAND MADE CAMBRIDGE paper labels:
Yellow paper (large and small) 1938-1954
Gold foil paper 1955-1958

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