Not Pyrex Or Fiestaware: The Vintage Glassware That’s Worth Hunting For At Thrift Stores

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A Hunker report points vintage glassware shoppers toward Libbey’s mid-century Kit Kat glasses, decorated with Siamese cats, as an alternative to better-known Pyrex and Fiestaware. The report cites online set listings from $200 to more than $450, but those asking prices do not establish what pieces actually sell for.

A Hunker report has spotlighted Libbey’s Kit Kat Cool Cat glasses as a vintage thrift-store find, citing online listings for sets priced from $200 to more than $450. The mid-century glasses, decorated with Siamese cats and gold details, could interest collectors who usually watch for Pyrex or Fiestaware, though listing prices do not confirm the amounts buyers pay.

The Kit Kat pattern was designed by Maida Armour for Libbey Glass in the mid-20th century, according to Hunker. The report describes the glasses as frosted glass printed with black Siamese cats, with gold accessories and, on some figures, rhinestone accents. The decorative details distinguish the pattern from ordinary Libbey glassware and help explain its appeal to collectors.

Hunker says the glasses were produced in more than one size, including a 7-inch highball glass and a 5½-inch Tom Collins glass. It reports that individual examples average between $50 and $100, while sets have been listed on Etsy and eBay for $200 to more than $450. Those figures are reported marketplace listings, not verified sale prices or a guarantee of value for any particular glass.

For identification, the report advises checking the bottom for Libbey’s cursive “L” mark. It also names other mid-century Libbey patterns, including Cavalcade ponies and Golden Foliage, as designs collectors may encounter. Condition, pattern details, size and completeness can affect an item’s desirability, but the source does not provide a pricing guide for those variations.

What Collectors Should Check

The report offers shoppers a specific pattern to add to their search list beyond familiar kitchenware brands. At thrift stores, a marked glass with the cat motif may be easy to overlook among common drinkware; knowing the design and its identifying mark gives shoppers a basis for researching it before purchase.

At the same time, the reported prices call for caution. Asking prices are not completed sales, and the source does not establish how frequently Kit Kat glasses appear in thrift stores or how much a particular piece will fetch. A buyer considering a purchase should compare similar items and inspect the glass and decoration for wear or damage rather than assuming that every example matches the prices cited.

Libbey’s Mid-Century Patterns

Hunker frames the Kit Kat glasses as an alternative to commonly sought vintage pieces such as Pyrex, Fiestaware and CorningWare. Its report places the design within the mid-century modern era and credits Armour with several playful Libbey patterns, including blue parakeets and golden French poodles as well as the Siamese cats.

The report says the Kit Kat glasses are relatively scarce because glass is fragile, but it provides no production totals or evidence quantifying how many survive. Its broader point is that Libbey’s printed glassware has a collector audience, even if it receives less attention than some better-known vintage brands.

“The Kit Kat glasses were made in several sizes, including a 7-inch highball glass and a 5 1/2-inch Tom Collins glass.”

— Hunker

What the Price Listings Show

The source gives online asking-price ranges but does not cite completed sales, a date range for the listings, or a method for calculating the reported average price per glass. It is not clear whether the cited listings were for complete, matching sets, what condition they were in, or whether the prices included shipping.

Hunker also does not provide production numbers, a current estimate of availability in thrift stores, or a detailed grading system for condition. The value of an individual glass therefore cannot be determined from the reported figures alone; damage, missing details, size and the buyer’s market may matter.

How to Verify a Thrift Find

Shoppers who find a suspected Kit Kat glass can compare its cat design, frosted finish, size and bottom mark with reliable reference images, then review comparable listings and, where available, completed sales. They should inspect the rim, base and printed or jeweled decoration closely, since the source describes the pieces as delicate.

Hunker’s report does not announce a new release, sale or formal appraisal, and it gives no forecast for future prices. For now, its practical takeaway is to recognize the design and treat marketplace figures as clues rather than guaranteed resale values.

Key Questions

What are Libbey Kit Kat glasses?

They are mid-century Libbey glasses with a frosted finish and screen-printed black Siamese cats, often accented with gold details and rhinestones, according to Hunker.

How can I identify a Kit Kat glass?

Hunker recommends checking the bottom for a cursive “L” mark and comparing the glass’s cat design and frosted finish with known examples.

How much are the glasses worth?

The report cites individual glasses averaging $50 to $100 and online set listings from $200 to more than $450. These are reported prices, not confirmed sale values, and the condition and completeness of a piece can affect what a buyer will pay.

Are the glasses safe to use for drinks?

Hunker suggests keeping them for display because of their delicate gold and jeweled detailing. The source does not provide safety testing or care instructions for serving drinks in them.

Source: rss