Expert: Eileen Cronk - 2/7/2009

Question
I live in the northern most part of NYS on Lake Champlain near Montreal, next to VT. I am having a difficult time finding anyone who has older glass from early 1900's to replace one of two glass doors in my antique bookcase. Any ideas? Of course I will need the old glass cut, which I understand can be tricky since it is more brittle than modern. Local places seem hesitant to deal with it at all.

Answer
Hi Judy
Nice to hear from you.
Living in Ontario Canada its impossible for me to tell you specific business names where you can get old glass.
I can however tell you that the only place I know of that you can buy old glass is from architectural salvage companies. They have lots of it. I imagine there are such places in your area too.
Yes cutting old glass can be tricky because of the reasons you mention but it can be done.
A while back I had a very old glass jug that needed a hole drilled in it to make a lamp.
I took it to my local glass store and the cutter hummed and hawed until I said "just give it a try. If it breaks it breaks its just an old jug." Well this seemed to take the pressure off him and my jug came back with the most beautiful hole you can imagine.
So keep that in mind LOL.
And you will get your glass Judy. Get the business directory out and find these salvage companies.
Good Luck and great question
Regards
Eileen