The Framers Forum

Does anyone know if very old glass (pre-float glass) is valuable in any way? I occasionally get old bits of glass and I currently have quite a substantial piece, possibly Victorian.

I'm not expecting to make a fortune from it; I just don't want to break it up without checking first.

There must be people who use old glass. Is there anyone I could contact?

A local furniture restorer friend has most of my stock. He brings in antique cabinet doors that require precise cut shapes. It's not a huge earner but glad to see it being reused.

I always save it. I never have a huge amount but occasionally put it in piece when appropriate.

It cleans up very well with fine steel wool and lighter fluid and really sparkles.

Wonderful stuff. It looks superb inside replica antique frames or restorations. The more bubbles and blemishes the better.
The only limiting factor is when re-framing a valuable watercolour. Then you have to resort to modern museum style glass.
Can you say what size of a piece you have?

I used to replace broken glass inside old picture frames for antique dealers. A lot of them used tidy up old stuff from house clearances and sell it the auctions. I have not seen an antiques dealer for ages now. Very few of them seem to be still in business near me! I did not bother bringing my old bits of antique glass with me when I moved shop a few years ago. I hope that you might find a few more antique dealers where you are.

The piece is roughly 1230 x 780mm - so reasonably large.

I have reused old glass for the odd old frame but most of my framing is making new frames. So this piece is likely to sit in my glass storage for years unless it goes to a good home.