When Czechoslovakian born craftsman,
John Furch was looking to establish his own art glass business he
had to face the high cost of running his furnaces. He soon
discovered one month of natural gas in Medicine Hat, AB was the same
price as one day’s supply of gas in Ontario.
In April 1950, Furch and his daughter
Margarete, along with her husband Leslie Stagg, founded Altaglass in
Medicine Hat. The first pieces they produced were glass buttons and
the now famous swans.
The business grew and added more
glassblowers while Furch and his salesmen travelled across Canada
selling their wares to stores.
Over the years Altaglass produced
colored art glass vases, baskets, bowls, various animals,
paperweights and much more. In the 1960’s, their products were
presented as gifts to such dignitaries as Prime Minister and Mrs.
Diefenbaker and film crooner, Bing Crosby.
Since the company closed in 1988,
interest in Altaglass has steadily climbed.
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Four Altaglass pieces part of the summer exhibit
at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre in Medicine Hat
– Photo © Esplanade Museum, Medicine Hat, AB
Hat with Altaglass ornaments worn by Margarete (Furch) Stagg to
Christmas party.
– photo courtesy Heirlooms Antiques Calgary |
In 2005 Altaglass collectors, Derek and
Ann McNaney, wrote Swan Song, a story and guide book about Altaglass.
“We published a book on it because
there was extremely little known about Altaglass, except in Medicine
Hat,” Derek told Treasures recently.
When Margarete passed away, Bill and
Bente Picken of Heirlooms Antiques Calgary purchased two things from
her estate – an Altaglass salesman’s sample suitcase and a hat
Margarete had adorned with Altaglass ornaments and worn to a
Christmas party.
In their research, the McNaneys
received a lot of help from Allan Jensen, a member of The Historical
Society of Medicine Hat and District. Jensen is the Project
Coordinator for the upcoming Altaglass Symposium being held in
Medicine July 8-9 (See ad pg. 14).
For info call Allan Jensen at
403-502-9006 or the McNaneys at 403-342-4525.
One-of-a-kind Altaglass Madonna figure in the Esplanade Museum
collection.
–photo © Esplanade Museum, Medicine Hat, AB |
