December 1942, my father gave me a glory box for my 21st birthday, with a pair of crystal salt cellars. I already had what I already know was a marigold Fenton Fine Ribbed vase, and a marigold Fenton Holly ruffled edge bowl to place in it.
The war interrupted most things for a time, as just about everything was rationed, even leisure time.
May 1945 when Ron and I were married one of our wedding gifts was a completely round marigold bowl that was always referred to as the “fish bowl”.
Looking for glass took a back seat for some time as we reared a family of three children.
The 1950’s bought to light some interesting finds when Ron came home from a local auction with three pieces of green carnival glass, the one colour I do not care for.
They were a Horse Head Medallion, Butterfly and Berry spooner, and a Pinecone round bowl. The contents of one box cost two shillings. This was before Australia switched to decimal currency, so it amounted to 20 cents.
These pieces remained on our shelves and admired by friends who visited us over the next 20 years. We still did not find a name for it.
One fine morning, October 1973, we were on our way home from an out of town visit, when Ron said “I want to make an early start. I am taking you to see something.” This journey took us over the mountains to the old mining town of Castlemaine. There was the first display of 30 pieces of carnival glass, all colours that I did not know existed!
A group of local folk decided to raise the capital to restore the old market building that was becoming a ruin, by running an exhibition of anything of interest in collectables. It never occurred to me at the time to inquire who the owner of the carnival glass was. There was just a card stating “Carnival Glass”.
GOOD! It had a name!
One Saturday morning, Ron read under the wanted ad, a request for the American Womans Day magazine (August 1965), featuring an article on carnival glass. The contact phone number was given. Finally, we were on the track of someone else interested in carnival glass. Contact was made with her long before the Womans Day magazine was found, but this lady did know of someone in the country and had no way of getting there. She did make arrangements to visit, a suitable day for all and Ron did the driving.
Now there were 3 and very soon became 5 when Muriel and Bill Triplett were found, along with Dorothy Lehman from South Australia.
I still had not located the lady from the Castlemaine display, but by chance one day I called at the auction rooms near the Melbourne city area and saw a lady collecting her purchase of carnival glass. Yes, it was Patricia Cubeta, the Castlemaine lady. She did not get to this auction often as she had young twin sons and an older little girl of school age.
A good friendship had developed. Dorothy Lehman of South Australia came often to stay with us, as we lived at this time close to Muriel and Bill Triplett. We all shared our “finds” often.
An evening in May 1975, Dorothy was visiting when it was arranged to visit the Tripletts. Patricia and Carlo Cubeta were also invited to meet Dorothy.
The subject of a carnival glass club was discussed, as there was such unity among these friends in seeking others who could have the same interest. It was decided right then to do so. Muriel and Bill set things going as Secretary/Treasurer and President, and arranged for the first meeting in June 1975. Founding members were:
Muriel and Bill Triplett, Dorothy Lehman, Margaret Dickinson, Patricia and Carlo Cubeta. At this meeting we requested that Muriel design a club logo, the result is the very appropriate A.C.E of Clubs with the Kangaroo in the centre.
