Hand Pressed Glass Cup Plate Historical Society of Old Yarmouth

This Historical Reproduction Cup Plate was commissioned by Barnstable County in celebration of the town of Yarmouth MA's 300th year. This was a limited edition with only 262 cup plates pressed in blue. The date 1886 refers to the year of installation of the depicted pump and watering trough, still a feature of the town in the present day.

Measuring 3.5" in diameter, this cup plate was released in 1974 and produced for roughly a decade, using a glass press and hand carved pressing mold, following the same process used for cup plate production in the 19th century. The mold has since been destroyed.

1825 - 2025 Bicentennial Celebration: in 2025 the Sandwich Historical Society is celebrating 200 years of glass making in Sandwich, by offering for sale a collection of vintage reproduction cup plates. Proceeds from cup plate sales go directly to fund the special events and services offered as part of our 2025 bi-centennial celebration. We thank you for your support of the Sandwich Historical Society and its Glass Museum! 

Glassmaking in Sandwich, MA, began in 1825 with the establishment of the Sandwich Glass Manufactory by Deming Jarves, a Boston entrepreneur. The factory was reincorporated in 1826 as the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company, and manufactured glassware until 1887.  

Cup Plates were commonly used in the early 19th century. Many early cups were handleless, with deep saucers.  The hot liquid was poured into the saucer and sipped from it.  A cup plate, usually in a matching pattern, was created to act as a coaster to hold the cup while the saucer was used.