Heisey Glass Prices: Diamond H Mark and Animal Figurines
A.H. Heisey and Co., operating in Newark, Ohio from 1896 until 1957, is among the most actively collected American pressed glass manufacturers. The Diamond H mark — an H inside a diamond, molded into the glass — is instantly recognizable to collectors and signals genuine Heisey production. Animal figurines produced from the 1940s onward are the crown jewels; a Heisey horse head bookend pair in clear glass sells for $150-$300, while the Plug Horse in caramel slag fetches $800-$2,000. Color and pattern drive everything else.
The Diamond H Mark and Dating
The Diamond H mark was used from 1900 until the company closed in 1957. Not all Heisey glass is marked — early production (1896-1900) predates the mark, and some smaller pieces were never marked for mold-space reasons. Unmarked pieces attributed to Heisey by pattern are worth 20-40% less than marked equivalents. Imperial Glass acquired Heisey molds after 1957 and produced some pieces from original molds without the Diamond H; these are legitimate collectibles but worth significantly less than Heisey originals — typically $10-$30 versus $30-$150 for marked Heisey in the same pattern.
Heisey Color Premiums
Heisey produced most of its production in clear (Crystal), but color commands substantial premiums. Moongleam (a yellow-green) adds 2-4x over clear for the same pattern and form. Sahara (a warm yellow) runs 2-3x clear prices. Flamingo (pink) adds 1.5-2.5x. Alexandrite (a rare color-changing purple-to-rose glass) multiplies value by 5-10x for desirable patterns. Cobalt was used in very limited production and is extremely scarce — a cobalt Heisey piece in any pattern commands $200-$1,000+. When buying colored Heisey, verify color in natural daylight as fluorescent light can distort both Moongleam and Alexandrite.
Animal Figurines — The Most Active Collector Category
Heisey produced 35+ animal figurines from the early 1940s until 1957. The most valuable in clear glass include the Fish Bookend ($100-$200 per pair), the Clydesdale horse ($150-$350), and the large Elephant ($200-$500). In Amber or Caramel Slag, values multiply dramatically: a Clydesdale in amber sells for $400-$800; a caramel slag Rooster or Hen can reach $1,500-$3,000. The Donkey (Balky Mule) is one of the rarest figurines and sells for $300-$600 in clear. Imperial reproduction animals exist; genuine Heisey animals show sharper mold detail and heavier glass weight.
Patterns and Tableware Values
Heisey's most popular patterns include Orchid (etched), Rose (etched), Lariat, Plantation, and Old Sandwich. Orchid etched pieces in crystal sell for $20-$80 per piece; Moongleam Orchid runs $60-$200. Complete sets in desirable patterns command strong premiums — an Orchid pattern service for eight in crystal reaches $400-$800. Old Sandwich, a simple pressed pattern produced from 1931-1957, is a beginner-friendly pattern selling for $15-$50 per piece in crystal. Cobalt Old Sandwich individual pieces reach $100-$400.
Reproductions and Condition
Heisey is reproduced extensively. Imperial Glass (post-1957), Fenton, and various importers have used original Heisey molds or created similar patterns. Key tells: lack of Diamond H, lighter weight, slightly blurry mold detail, and base characteristics. The National Heisey Glass Museum in Newark, Ohio maintains a comprehensive reproduction reference. Condition is critical: a chip to a figurine's ear reduces value by 40-60%. Tableware chips are more acceptable — minus $5-$15 per piece — but heavily chipped sets lose liquidity entirely.
Heisey glass at an estate sale moves fast when buyers know what's there. List with Diamond H closeup photos on FindA.Sale and specify the color — collectors search by both.