J. J. Niland Co. design catalogues and historical information

ADC staff
artdesigncafé - design | Design Meriden | 27 March 2016 | Updated 23 July 2021
J. J. Niland catalogue J. J Niland glass


Above, cover and illustrations in the 1913 J. J. Niland Co. catalogue. For more information, see the listing below.


"J. J. Niland & Co.
"The show rooms of J. J. Niland & Co. at the factory on Miller street, contain a line of cut glass seldom equalled for variety, quality and moderate prices... The product of this factory in its entirety is from the crude blank to the finished ornament and the patterns of the company are not only original but radically different from the unscrupulous imitations. Among the customers of this concern are Tiffany & Co., celebrated jewelers of New York City, and many leading glass and crockery dealing concerns, including Higgins & Seiter, also of New York."

— in Gillespie, Charles Bancroft & Curtis, George Munson. (1906). "J. J. Niland & Co." section. In A century of Meriden: A historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and the men who made it, from earliest settlement to close of its first century of incorporation, (Part III), p. 133. (See entry below.)


A. J. J. Niland Co. (1902-59) designs in exhibitions [1]


Material status: = online
= link to more info
= completely offline


1940s

1940 - display / exhibit at G. Fox & Co., Hartford

10 - 17 February 1940. Connecticut-made week at G. Fox & Co., Hartford. (Viewed 24 October 2018. C00314; C00317).

> Unspecified designs exhibited and / or displayed by J. J. Niland Co.

  • For documentation, see historical section below.



See our Design Meriden compilation listing over 1000 exhibitions since 1851, featuring historical design associated with the Meriden area.



B. J. J. Niland Co. design catalogues and historical information (by year)


1890s

1895 - historical information

Gillespie, Charles Bancroft (compiled by). (1895). "T. Niland & Co." (possible predecessor company). In Art souvenir edition of the Meriden Daily Journal illustrating the city of Meriden, Connecticut in the year 1895, (p. 50). [including two portraits]. The Journal Publishing Company: Meriden, CT. (Viewed 17 November 2016. A00787-88.)


1900s

Various newspapers, magazines and other sources

(c. 1902-). Various newspapers, magazines and other sources - search engines. (Updated 20 April 2019.)

1905 - historical information

(16 June 1905). Handsome vase by Meriden concern. [Article talks about a 56-inch vase designed and made for Tiffany’s in New York.] The Meriden Daily Journal, p. 1. (Viewed 2 August 2017. AAA00618-618b; AAA00626.)

1906 - historical information

Gillespie, Charles Bancroft & Curtis, George Munson. (1906). "J. J. Niland & Co." section (at end) including portrait and photo of interior, (pp. 132-33). In A century of Meriden: A historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and the men who made it, from earliest settlement to close of its first century of incorporation, (Part III). (Viewed 19 November 2016. A00791-92.)


1906 advertisements

See the ads


1906 - advertisement

J. J. Niland & Co. (14 June 1906). Advertisement: "Rich Cut Glass. New designs and novelties for holiday and wedding presents. Factory and show room, Morehouse Building. J. J. Niland & Co., Miller Street, Meriden, Conn." [no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, col. 2. (Viewed 23 October 2018. B01192-95)

1906 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (11 September 1906). Advertisement: "What Beautiful Cut Glass; A common expression of visitors to our factory show [room]... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 10, col. 5. (Viewed 29 June 2020. F01268).



1907 advertisements

See the ads


1907 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (3 April 1907). Advertisement: "For the new china cabinet; A few pieces of Rich Cut Glass are probably wanted to make a nice showing. Visit the factory show room... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 4, col. 6. (Viewed 4 July 2020. F01375).

1907 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (3 September 1907). Advertisement: "Cut Glass Wedding Presents; Nothing can surpass in value..." [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 10, cols. 1-2. (Viewed 4 July 2020. F01376).

1907 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (10 December 1907). Advertisement: "Makers of Fine Cut Glass; Now cutting from imported models... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 9, col. 2. (Viewed 20 September 2020. E01397).



1908 advertisements

See the ads


1908 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (2 April 1908). Advertisement: "Makers of Fine Cut Glass; Now cutting from imported models... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, col. 1. (Viewed 30 June 2020. F01294).

1908 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (11 June 1908). Advertisement: "Cut Glass Christmas Presents; Handsome pieces in newly imported styles at factory prices... " Meriden Weekly Republican, p. 3, col. 2. (Viewed 22 October 2020. F01624).

1908 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (4 July 1908). Advertisement: "Makers of Fine Cut Glass; Now cutting from imported models... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, cols. 1. (Viewed 29 June 2021. R01376).

1908 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (13 August 1908). Advertisement: "Cut glass; Christmas presents; handsome pieces in newly imported styles at factory prices... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Weekly Republican, p. 3, col. 2. (Viewed 10 November 2020. F01865).

1908 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (8 September 1908). Advertisement: "Makers of Fine Cut Glass; Now cutting from imported models... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, col. 1. (Viewed 4 July 2020. F01379).

1908 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (15 December 1908). Advertisement: "Makers of Fine Cut Glass; Now cutting from imported models... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, col. 2. (Viewed 12 August 2020. L02005).

1908 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (16 December 1908). Advertisement: "Cut glass mayonaise [sic] sets... Ask to see them... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 9, cols. 2. (Viewed 16 July 2021. R00261).



1909 - spotlighted news brief - J. J. Niland acquisition

(30 March 1909). Buys glass co.; J. J. Niland purchases W. T. Bergen business; To be moved here; Meriden concern will be enlarged by deal. Meriden Daily Journal, p. 1, col. 5. (Viewed 30 December 2020. D01696).

"... The W. T. Bergen company was started in New Bedford by W. Tracy Bergen, son of J. D. Bergen, the cut glass pioneer of this city, his father being associated with him and they recently moved to New Haven... Then the Meriden offer came... the machinery and tools would be brought here and manufacture of the Bergen lines together with the Niland goods... " (Excerpt from above.)



1909 advertisements

See the ads


1909 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (6 April 1909). Advertisement: "Makers of Fine Cut Glass; Now cutting from imported models... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, col. 2. (Viewed 4 July 2020. F01377).

1909 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (7 September 1909). Advertisement: "Makers of Fine Cut Glass; Now cutting from imported models... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, col. 2. (Viewed 4 July 2020. F01380 ).

1909 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (23 September 1909). Advertisement: "Makers of Fine Cut Glass; New cuttings from imported models... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Weekly Republican, p. 3, col. 2. (Viewed 30 October 2020. F01629).

1909 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (14 December 1909). Advertisement: "Makers of Fine Cut Glass; Now cutting from imported models... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, col. 2. (Viewed 10 October 2020. F01481).



1910s

1910 advertisements

See the ads


1910 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (5 April 1910). Advertisement: "Makers of Fine Cut Glasses; Now cutting from imported models... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, col. 2. (Viewed 4 July 2020. F01374).

1910 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (6 September 1910). Advertisement: "Makers of Fine Cut Glass; Now cutting from imported models... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, col. 2. (Viewed 4 July 2020. F01378).



1911 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (16 February 1911). Advertisement: "Showroom Bargains... in Cut Glass At The Factory..." Meriden Weekly Republican, p. 3, column 2. (Viewed 9 September 2017. G00249.)

1913 - design catalogue

J. J. Niland Co. (1913). The J. J. Niland Company: Rich cut glass. 25 pp. Meriden, CT. (Click image in the CMOG record below to see the catalogue.) (Viewed 27 March 2016. A00172; AAA00009.)


1913 articles

See the articles


1913 - news mention

(14 August 1913). News mention: "J. J. Niland is at the New Grand [Hotel, New York] with his line of cut glass. The decorations are fine engraved designs of a high order." Crockery & Glass Journal, p. 18. (Viewed 9 October 2017. G01191.)

1913 - news mention

(25 December 1913). News mention: In Boston, "J. J. Niland of the J. J. Niland Cut Glass Co., Meriden, Conn., has been here with samples." Crockery & Glass Journal, p. 11. (Viewed 7 October 2017. G01233.)



1913 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (10 April 1913). Advertisement: "... Cut glass... 16 Miller Street... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Weekly Republican, p. 8, col. 2. (Viewed 28 October 2020. F01660).

c. 1913 - design catalogue reprint

J. J. Niland Co. (c. 1913). "J. J. Niland Co., manufacturers of rich cut glass, Meriden, Conn. [n.d., 1913]". In The cut glass of the Niland Brothers. Published by the American Cut Glass Association in collaboration with the Deep River Historical Society, Deep River, CT and the Rakow Research Library of the Corning Museum of Glass. Ramona, CA: American Cut Glass Association, c. 2007 (Corning, NY: Sunset Printers). (Updated 15 April 2017. A00171.)

1914 - news mention

(2 June 1914). Buyers now in the city; out-of-town visitors here to look over offerings of local wholesale dealers [" ... Meriden, Conn.— J J Niland Co; J J Niland, china and glass... "]. New York Tribune, p. 17, col. 6. (Viewed 15 June 2020. D01462).

1914 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (15 July 1914). Advertisement: "... Gifts of Cut Glass ... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Daily Journal, p. 4, col. 2. (Viewed 29 June 2021. F01704).

1918 - company listing

(1918). Manufacturers and their products... Meriden... "Niland, J. J. & Co. ... Cut glass ... " In State of Connecticut Public Document No. 33; Sixth Biennial Report of the Factory Inspection Department to the Governor for the Two Years ending September 30, 1918, (p. 65). State of Connecticut: Hartford. (Viewed 1 October 2020. E01622-27).


1919 advertisements

See the ads


1919 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (9 September 1919). Advertisement: Removal notice; Our Showrooms are now at our Factory, 16 Miller street. Choice pieces of coin gold decorated and encrusted glass. Exquisite pieces of cut crystal... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, col. 6. (Viewed 29 June 2020. F01269).

1919 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (9 December 1919). Advertisement: "Wedding gifts; Unusual pieces of cut glass; From our own factory... " [with no illustrations]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 9, col. 2. (Viewed 18 January 2021. R00047).



1920s

1920 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (9 December 1920). Advertisement: "Cut glass; in all of its pre-war quality and finish; on display at factory showroom... " [with abstract illustrations]. Meriden Daily Journal, p. 2, cols. 7-8. (Viewed 23 July 2021. R01595).

1921 - advertisement

J. J. Niland Co. (14 December 1921). Advertisement: "Special pattern samples in cut glass... 16 Miller Street" [with no illustrations]. Meriden Daily Journal, p. 15, col. 8. (Viewed 6 January 2021. C01502).



Click the following link to see designs and documentation for other historical glass companies from the Meriden area listed on the historical Meriden design overview page. Scroll down to section D: "ISC, predecessors & divisions - Meriden Cut Glass Company" and E: "Other featured companies". Please note that many of the listed historical silver companies also at times included glass in their designs.



1930s

1936 - article mention

(17 April 1936). Meriden’s history day by day for 50 years [with mention: "1909; March 30— J. J. Niland company purchases W. T. Bergen cut glass business of New Haven, moving plant here"]. The Meriden Daily Journal [Fiftieth Anniversary issue (1886-1936)], unknown page number. (Viewed 30 December 2020. F01936).

1936 - article mention

(17 April 1936). The year each business was established [with mention: "Niland, The J. J. Co. Est. 1902"]. The Meriden Daily Journal [Fiftieth Anniversary issue (1886-1936)], unknown page number. (Viewed 13 January 2021. F01935).

1936 - article mention

(17 April 1936). Chronological list of business firms [with mention: "1902— Niland, The J. J. Co. ... "]. The Meriden Daily Journal [Fiftieth Anniversary issue (1886-1936)], unknown page number. (Viewed 13 January 2021. F01934).


1940s

1940 - spotlighted advertisement - display / exhibit at G. Fox & Co., Hartford

G. Fox & Co., Hartford, CT. (February 1940). Advertisement: "... Feb. 10 to 17, Fox’s Fourth Annual Connecticut-Made Week... expected to have displays or exhibits... J. J. Niland Co. ... " Hartford Courant. (Viewed 24 October 2018. C00314; C00317).

  • Offline - 9 February 1940, p. 3; 14 February 1940, p. 3. See worldcat.org for locations.


1960s

1963 - article mention

Callahan Nolan, Mollie. (15 August 1963). Skilled workmen from many lands made Meriden center of glass cutting industry at turn of century. The Morning Record, (p. 12 & 23). [Mentions J. D. Bergen Co.; Meriden Cut Glass Co. / Meriden Silver Plate Co.; Meriden Flint Glass Co.; C. F. Monroe; J. J. Niland Co. (with illustration of letterhead showing famed c. 1905 vase for Tiffany’s; and photo of workers in the factory); Silver City Cut Glass Co.; Also photo of several pieces of unspecified glass ware.] (Viewed 2 August 2017. AAA00614. DM.)

  • Offline - Meriden Public Library, "Meriden - Industries - Glass" file.
  • Offline - Meriden Public Library, Meriden newspapers on microfiche.

1963 - article mention

(15 August 1963). City was famed for its cut glass [with mention of Niland]. The Morning Record, (p. 12). (Viewed 2 August 2017. AAA00614. DM.)

  • Offline - Meriden Public Library, "Meriden - Industries - Glass" file.
  • Offline - Meriden Public Library, Meriden newspapers on microfiche.

"... beginning in the 1880’s and continuing until World War I, Meriden was the center of a cut glass industry whose products are today prized by collectors... [Mollie Calahan Nolan] was the niece of two of the men most prominent in establishing Meriden’s pre-eminence as a center of cut glass ware. Thomas and James J. Niland, two brothers who learned their trade in England, Mrs. Nolan’s mother was their sister. ’My uncles Tom and Jim Niland learned their trade in Birmingham, center of the glass industry,’ recalls Mrs. Nolan... what was once a thriving industry employing 900 persons eventually became a memory..." (Excerpt from above.)


1965 - book mention

Revi, Albert Christian. (1965). J. J. Niland mention in Hall & Callahan mention, (p. 100). In American cut and engraved glass. Nelson. (Viewed 29 June 2021. AAA0613; E01566; L01962).

"Hall & Callahan; John Hall and Thomas F. Callahan entered into a partnership in 1914 to produce high grade stone-engraved glassware; their shop was located on Sherman Avenue, in Meriden, Connecticut, and it operated from 1914 to 1917. After Hall died, Callahan moved their equipment to Hawley, Pennsylvania where he operated a division of the Monoghan Brothers cut glassworks. Callahan was their manager and chief designer. In 1918, Callahan returned to Meriden and entered the employ of the J. J. Niland Company as their designer and foreman of the cutting department."— Revi, Albert Christian. (1965). American cut and engraved glass, p. 100.


1965 - book mention

Revi, Albert Christian. (1965). J . J. Niland mentions, (pp. 7, 84+, 89+). In American cut and engraved glass. Nelson. (Unconfirmed. Viewed 8 August 2020. AAA0613; L01962).

1965 - book mention

Revi, Albert Christian. (1965). Niland Cut Glass mention, (p. 89). In American cut and engraved glass. Nelson. (Unconfirmed. Viewed 8 August 2020. AAA0613; L01962).

1965 - book mention

Revi, Albert Christian. (1965). Thomas A. Niland [brother] mention, (p. 90). In American cut and engraved glass. Nelson. (Unconfirmed. Viewed 8 August 2020. AAA0613; L01962).

1967 - unpublished document

Callahan Nolan, Mollie. (October 1967). Early glass craftsmen in Meriden. Unpublished document: summaries of company activities including "The J. J. Niland Company", "Bergen and Niland, 1880-1885", "T. Niland Cut Glass Co.". 4 pp. (Viewed 10 August 2017. AAA00632.)

  • Offline - Meriden Public Library, "Meriden - Industries - Glass" file.

"Established in 1902 as J. J. Niland & Company, the company [was] incorporated in 1906 as The J. J. Niland Company. James J. Niland was President and Treasurer, Emeline T. Niland was Vice-President and Secretary. Later, others who became stockholders were Howard C. Tryon, Helen L. Bergen. [The company] produced caster bottles, fluted and cooperwheel designs, jars, colognes, perfume bottles, vinegar and oil sets used wih silver fittings, both sterling silver and plated ware.

In 1906 [the company] developed a large line of tableware, vases, bowls, decanters, lamps, watersets, carafes, punch bowls. [They made] excellent cuttings on high grade blanks. [They] operated on a small scale after 1940. The corporation was liquidated in 1959." [Full excerpt of "The J. J. Niland Company" from above.]


2010s

2012 - secondary source

Tobin, Diane. (2012). On "Niland". In Appendix: Biographies section in The Meriden Flint Glass Company: An abundance of glass. Charleston, SC: The History Press. (Viewed 24 May 2016. A00696.)

2014 - newsletter article

Mitchell, Bruce. (June 2014). The Meriden glass industry: A brief history [including mention of Bergen & Niland (and related firms)]. Museum of Connecticut Glass website. (Viewed 3 May 2020. H01231).



Footnote:
[1] This dating "1902-59" comes from Tobin, Diane. (2012). The Meriden Flint Glass Company: An abundance of glass. (See appendix: Meriden Glass Companies). Charleston, SC: The History Press. (ISBN 978.1.61423.833.1). Viewed 24 May 2016. [A00696]