The Antique Register™, Inc.

26 Sept-Oct 08
� Feature Story • Tempe �
Girlie Glasses Have Become Interesting Collector’s Items
by Jay Mark
Long before Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon, as “pumpedup”
body builders Hans and Franz, introduced “Girlie Men”
to Saturday Night Live audiences in 1988, and Arnold
Schwarzenegger reprised the term in his Calley-for-knee-ya
gubernatorial campaign there were Girlie Glasses.
Considered by many as quite risqué and inappropriate for
the American home, Girlie Glasses were often kept hidden
away by men who would bring them out for stag activities.
Promoted with more erudite names, they were advertised
variously as Mystic Glasses, Hollywood Pin-up Glasses,
Magic Follies Girl Glasses, and Petty Girl Hi-Ball Glasses.
Three Magic Follies Girlie Glasses by Federal Glass with
accompanying retailer’s game card. Photo credit: Jay Mark
But to the mostly men who bought them as novelty bar
tumblers during their 1940s and 50s heyday, they were just
Girlie Glasses.
Now, those bygones from the great era of pin-up art
popularized by artists like George Petty, Alberto Vargas,
Gil Elvgren, Earl Moran and Rolf Armstrong have become
collector’s items.
The turn of the 20th century saw a lively, new expression
of the female form by pioneering illustrators like Howard
Chandler Christy, Charles Dana Gibson and Harrison Fisher.
As early as the silent-film era, Hollywood began depicting
women in more erotic and suggestive attire than ever before
—eventually leading to a new art form called pin-up, which
emerged in the 1930s after George Petty created his Petty
Girls for Esquire, the foremost men’s magazine of the day.
World War II “legitimized” the pin-up, when calendars,
movie star photographs and illustrations were sent to soldiers
around the world in an effort to bring some cheer and
diversion to war-weary young fighters.
In fact, the term pin-up first appeared at this time as a
reference to soldiers pinning up these colorful mementos on
tent and barracks walls.
The popularity of pin-ups blossomed after the war—in
calendars, periodicals and other forms like bar glasses.
Most Girlie Glasses were simple containers on which a
decal was applied. But some had a magical quality that gave
them an even greater appeal.
The unique feature of these glasses was a special coating
made by the Amus-U Company that became transparent
when chilled or moistened. This allowed “clothing” that
covered the applied pin-up decals of bathing suit or lingerie-
clad ladies to disappear revealing them … entirely … er …
unclad, shall we say?.
For some, the glasses were a little bit risqué maybe even
naughty. But, hopefully, not too much.
These popular glasses were produced by the Federal
Glass Company of Columbus, Ohio, and were sold through
catalogs, magazines and in novelty stores.
Because the decals on Girlie Glasses are easily damaged
and the disappearing coating even more sensitive, finding
these tumblers in good condition can be challenging.
A recent survey on eBay showed only nine listings.
In good condition with the original moisture-sensitive
coating intact, individual Girlie Glasses can sell for about
$15 each. Sets can increase value.
The less-seen game card provided by the manufacturer to
the retailer offered customers chances to win sets of glasses
or cash is valued at $20-25.
Hint: The temperature sensitive coating is quite fragile
and can be irreparably harmed through inappropriate
handling and cleaning. Existing coatings are best preserved
by displaying rather than using the glasses. Never put them
in a dishwasher. Carefully clean by hand infrequently.
Suggested Reference: Collectible Girlie Glasses by Tigre
McMullan (Schiffer 2003, $24.95) is a modest first attempt
at introducing and pricing this novel subject.
Jay Mark, a 35-year veteran antiques dealer and
bookseller owns Those Were The Days! in Tempe. He also
teaches, lectures and writes about antiques. Reach him at
jaymark@twtdbooks.com.
A condensed version of this article first appeared in The
Arizona Republic column Antiquing In Arizona. © 2008 Jay
Mark