Ever since Cinderella's godmother dressed her up in fancy duds and delicate glass slippers, we have been enchanted by glass shoes, slippers and boots.  My mother started her miniature glass footwear collection before I was born and I still remember how their prismatic beauty enhanced our Americana decor.  (All of the photos that appear in this guide are of my mother's collection.  Thanks, Mom!)

The purpose of this guide is to introduce the glass shoe collector to some common terms associated with glass slippers, shoes and boots and to discuss the pieces available on eBay from three of the most common art glass manufacturers today:  Fenton, Boyd, and Mosser.

Terminology

This section discusses some of the common terminology associated with glass shoes, slippers and boots.

Hobnail

The term hobnail refers to a bumpy or knobby moulded surface texture design.  These bumps are smooth and not rough.  (Some boots are manufactured with a rough surface texture which is not considered a hobnail texture.  This rougher texture is provided for a practical purpose and allows a match to be struck on the surface of the boot).  See an example of hobnail in the picture of two (2) vintage Fenton hobnail slippers in the photo below.

Daisy and Button

The term daisy and button refers to a moulded surface texture which incorporates a moulded round floret and a smaller moulded round button which can either be raised or recessed.  See an example of daisy and button in the photo below of what I believe is a Fenton milk glass daisy and button boot 1990-MI.  (This boot was discontinued in 1975.)

Cat or Cat Head

If a piece is designated as a cat or a cat head boot or slipper, that means that the upper front portion of the piece has a moulded flourish that resembles a cat head and paw in profile.  Note:  A daisy and button shoe or a hobnail shoe can also be a cat shoe (and often is).  See an example of this in the photo below of a Fenton Colonial Green Hobnail Slipper #3995-CG.

Frosted

Frosted glass is glass that has a surface treatment which removes the glossy shine and leaves a matte finish with an appearance similar to that on a frosty cold glass mug of root bear.  (Wow!  That brings back memories!)  For an example of frosted glass, see the photo below.

Glass Slipper and Boot Manufacturers

Hundreds of glass slippers, shoes and boots can be found on eBay every day.  Miniature glass footwear is made by several manufacturers, but this guide will focus on only three:  Fenton, Boyd and Mosser.  

Fenton

Fenton Art Glass Company manufactures several different designs of slippers and boots, including the hobnail, daisy and button and cat discussed above.  Some of the designs are being produced specifically for QVC.  These new items can be found either through the QVC website, Fenton website, or on eBay.  (For additional information about collecting, identifying and pricing Fenton pieces, please see the following guides:  Fenton Cat Figurines and Fenton Glass Bells.) 

Sometimes, Fenton produces their slippers and boots as part of a "line" or "collection" of pieces.  One example of this is in the photo below showing a #9295DC slipper which is part of the "Hugs and Kisses" line.  (The #9295 designates the mould number and "DC" designates the glass design and hand painted design.)  A line or collection could include a slipper, bell, bowl, cat figurine, and/or or any other Fenton moulded piece with the same glass design and painted pattern.   

Descriptions of some of Fenton's mould numbers follow:

1990 - Boot, Daisy and Button

1994 - Bootee (Baby bootee with daisy and button texture.)

1995 - Slipper, Queen (daisy and button texture and cat head design - 6-inches long)

3700 - Candy Box (covered slipper)

3992 - Boot, Hobnail

3995 - Slipper, Hobnail (hobnail texture and cat head design)

5290 - Slipper, Cat ("Wavy" texture and cat head design - 6-inches long)

8595 - Slipper, Imperial (6-1/2 inches long)

9295 - Slipper, Rose (rose and leaf texture - 6-inches long)

9591 - Slipper, Princess (5-inches long)

7737 - Slipper, Buckle (This is a new slipper mould featuring a buckle.  The shoe does not have a hobnail or daisy and button texture.  The shoe measures approximately 5-inches long.) 

The hobnail slipper was produced by Fenton prior to 1979 and is very popular on eBay. 

In addition to the slippers and shoes shown above, Fenton has also produced a new 4-inch long glass walking shoe to commemorate a charity walk in which the Fenton employees participated.  I do not have a ware number for this item.   

Boyd

Boyd slippers are normally easy to identify.  Boyd's Crystal Art Glass has a special maker's mark (a diamond B) that they have used since their birth in 1978.  Boyd has added elements to their maker's mark to help distinguish the "era" in which the piece was manufactured.  (For example: The Boyd maker's mark for the first 5 years of production would simply be a diamond B, but the maker's mark now has progressed to a diamond B with a box around it and a small letter inside the box.)  For additional information on Boyd's maker's mark, please see their website.

Boyd has two distinct slipper designs prevalent on eBay:  one being the cat slipper (which is very similar to Fenton's Queen slipper) and the other being the bow slipper.

Mosser

Mosser Glass was established in 1971 and they have been producing stunning pieces of art glass ever since.  Mosser slippers are very popular on eBay and their appearance is unique.  Mosser does have a website, but no catalogs online.  The website does have a link for ordering a hard-copy catalog for newer pieces.  

Mosser's most popular slippers are the Mosser bow slipper and the Mosser Victorian Rose slipper.

In general, Mosser pieces can be identified with one of the following three (3) marks: 

• "M"
• "M" inside the outline of the state of Ohio
• "M" inside of a circle

Resources

Many resources are available to assist the art glass collector and sometimes specifically the art glass slipper and boot collector.  One book that is highly recommended for the glass shoe lover is:  Collectible Glass Shoes:  Identification and Value Guide  by Earlene Wheatley. 

The following links can be used to find books on eBay for the art glass lover:

• Fenton Glass Book
• Fenton Glass Guide
• Boyd's Crystal Art Glass by Bernard Boyd 

If this guide was helpful to you, please click "Yes" below.  Thanks!