Why Akro Agate?
The Akro Agate Company takes the first part of its name from its place of origin. Although a new plant was later built in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the company was established in Akron, Ohio, hence “Akro.” The second part of the name is from the company’s aim to make glass marbles. The opaque glass marbles with mottled colors were made to resemble marbles made from agate, and are called “aggies.” Thus, the Akron agate marble company, or the Akro Agate glass company.
Children’s Play Sets
For two decades in the early Twentieth Century, marbles proved to be a profitable business for Akro Agate. With an increase in foreign competition, however, it became necessary for the company to diversify. In keeping with the toy focus, Akro Agate began making play sets of dinnerware for little girls. These dinner sets are highly collectible today, and those still in the original box are especially desired. The opaque glass dinnerware pre-dated china and metal play sets, and, obviously, the plastic sets of today.
Planters and Pots
Akro Agate also ventured into the florist pot and planter business to broaden their business base. The Westite Company had closed and Akro Agate was able to buy some of their molds, which they began to produce in the swirled opaque glass they used for their other products. All the Akro Agate wares are marked with a capital A with a crow flying through the upper half. The crow has marbles in each foot and in its beak, but these details are so small that they are hard to see.
Collecting Akro Agate
If you have a “end of day” or marbled glass items in your collection, you may well have Akro Agate glass. You may also have some of their marbles if you have an old collection of marbles, but it will probably take an expert’s eye to sort them from the marbles made by other companies in the US and abroad. Look for the “slag” products of this company at glass shows and antique stores, as well as flea markets and garage sales.
Learn about other glass collectibles in the Glass Collectibles Guide.