Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company

Hi Folks, I just wasted an hour skimming a 500 + page scanned copy of a PPG company catalogue trying to figure out when a particular stamp on the back of a mirror could be from. It’s was produced at the Ford City Works #4 plant, which opened in 1893 ish, but continued until not long ago, and the mirror looks like a 1920-40’s repro, but my knowledge of mirrors sort of takes a nose dive after late 19th century and picks up again in the 50s and 60s. Is anyone obsessive enough to be able to date the below stamp? I also can’t figure out the significance of the “No. 2” and this is the mirror...
Thinking of listing on eBay, as it’s been hanging around my shop uninvited for years.
Any ideas?

 

#2 might be plant number.

What is the material? Gilded wood or brass?
Size?

 

Oil gilded wood, with a thick antiquing glaze. It’s 32 x 25”

 

The Plant number is 4. It’s written very small at the bottom.

 

I'm thinking it might be 1920s or earlier, not later.

Was there ever anything mounted here (now missing)


@verybrad @Ghopper1924

 

No there wasn’t. I keep thinking it looks like there should be, but it’s completely smooth at the top. No sign That anything could have been affixed.

 

The guys might have better insight than I do.
Check back tomorrow.

 

I imagine the 2 was a model number. The top looks like the base of the acanthus leaf broke off and was then stained and sanded/smoothed down. I would think the mirror would go with an older date rather than newer; very early 20th century would be my guess.

 

I googled PPG model 2 mirror and got this

 

Plant #4, and Shop # 2 and #6 of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Works, Ford City,...
Perhaps, the Ford City had you thinking Plant #4 but it was produced in Shop #2 at the same general location?

 

They seem to call each separate plant “works”. This one is works 4 which they acquired in 1893 so it seems.

 

I think what flipper is trying to say, is that the Works was the overall plant. The plant containing several different shops.

Or another way of saying it - There were 6 shops making up plant #4.

 

Have you had the back completely off? Quite often, there is a date on mirrors. Otherwise, I am on board with an early 20th century date. I do think there is something missing at the top.

 

Ah ha! I feel so thick. I peeked and saw he one stamp. I took the paper backing off and it’s covered with stamps. Several say dec 11, 1931. Mystery solved. Although, I supposed it could be a replacement glass and the frame not made by PPG at all. The number of stamps seems to indicate it is original, since if it were just glass cut to size from a larger sheet, and not cut specifically for this product, it might have a stamp or so. Does that make sense? Not sure why I’m obsessing over this.

 

Ah. Got it.

 

I have one of these from the Works #4, but it is about a 3 x 4ft rectangle and stamped 1958. Does anyone know if they are worth anything? I'd like to pass it along but don't want to under / over.

 

I too have a mirror with No2 works#4 dated may23 1941

 

Hi all I have a 8.5ft x4.4 foot PPG Company Ford City PA Mirror dated April 22, 1919. Wondering the monetary value and even historic value. We’re in Orient Ohio, so quite a ways from Ford City. To top it off my grandparents are from Ford City and my mom is from Kittanning. This mirror was in our home when we purchased it. And we just discovered the date in stamp today.