Pedestal Mugs by Federal Glass

Also known as Footed Mugs or Continental Cups, there are two styles of opal glass pedestal mugs which have considerable relevance to Corning Ware and Corelle patterns.  Undoubtedly, they are look-alike items, and the mugs were manufactured by Federal Glass, but in some cases another company was responsible for printing them with copied patterns.  These products are not Pyrex and are not made by Corning, or even licensed by the company.

B-Handle Pedestal Mugs
The first type stands about 4½ inches tall with a ‘B' shaped handle.  In general, these were distributed by James Bradley Associates under the brand name "Glassmates".  It is probable that the mugs were purchased undecorated from Federal, and the patterns applied by JBA.  It is the Glassmates name which dominates the original packaging, not Federal Glass.  A few bear the Federal logo, but it seems many have no maker's mark at all, stamped simply "Heat-Proof ... U.S.A.", or even just "U.S.A."

This style can be found decorated with imitations of:  Snowflake Blue, Butterfly Gold, Spring Blossom Green, Old Town Blue, Indian Summer, Blue Heather and Spice O' Life.
        
There are two distinct variations of Spice O' Life on B-handle pedestal mugs.  One version is from JBA Glassmates and it features a brown tomato and a red tomato along with other vegetables.  The other version includes a crooked carrot, and it matches the chrome-top accessories made by Dominion Glass.  Both of these fake Spice patterns exist on ordinary Federal Glass mugs too.

(Photo: B-handle mug imitating Spice O' Life.  The mug is definitely made by Federal, but this exact design appears on Dominion Glass products.  It is unclear which company is responsible for decorating this particular item.)

Federal Glass pedestal mugs.  B-handle at left; taller heavier style at right.

Tall & Heavy Pedestal Mugs
The second type stands 5½ inches on a taller pedestal, and it has a more conventional handle which is angled slightly upwards.  The base is very thick and heavy.  Commonly this style is found with a look-alike Spice O' Life pattern, but no other Corelle or Corning Ware designs.  Federal Glass might have produced this design, at least there is no evidence suggesting that another firm was involved in this case.  It appears that all of these mugs are unmarked, but a reference book identifies them as a product of Federal.

Other decorations
Both types of pedestal mugs have been printed with a wide range of designs unrelated to Corning Ware or Corelle.  There are a great many decorated along the lines of company advertising and tourist souvenirs.  Many seem to be fairly trivial enterprises and it is doubtful that Federal was taking orders like this. 

For example, there are a few mugs commemorating high school reunions, and this doesn't seem like a job large enough for a major glass manufacturer to bother with.  On the whole, it looks like Federal Glass sold the mugs blank and local third party printing companies would use them for the "your name here" kind of custom designs. 

James Bradley Assoc. Butterfly Gold version on B-handle pedestal mug.  It is a crude reproduction of the Corelle pattern.

These two styles of pedestal mugs also were produced with attractive patterns of more widespread appeal, like various birds or fruits.  These are more likely to be decorated by Federal and sold at the retail level with their brand name on the packaging.  There are also many 5½ inch mugs in solid colours of white, blue and red, either smooth or with a textured exterior.  Reportedly, these are gas station premiums from the 1970s.

Another style
There is a third type of pedestal mug, and original packaging shows that Federal Glass named this shape a Continental Cup.  It can be found with many different decorations, but one in particular is reminiscent of Blue Cornflower.  Federal made matching mixing bowls and casseroles as well.  Mugs also exist with a turquoise rooster design which is vaguely suggestive of Butterprint.

(Photo: The third pedestal mug shape from Federal.  This example is not impersonating Corning Ware's Blue Cornflower, instead it is an official reproduction of W. J. Hughes' Corn Flower pattern which is normally found engraved on Elegant Glass items.  There is another blue floral design resembling Blue Cornflower.)

Related Article:

Dominion Glass