Dugan & Diamond Carnival Glass 1909-1931 by Carl O. Burns (1998, Paperback)

Carl O. Burns is the author of a wonderful trio of books on carnival glass: IMPERIAL CARNIVAL GLASS, NORTHWOOD CARNIVAL GLASS 1908-1925, and this guide, DUGAN & DIAMOND CARNIVAL 1909-1931. All are eminently readable.

This book by Burns on Dugan & Diamond is excellent: it provides comprehensive information on the company's carnival glass patterns. The book begins with a diverting history of the career of Thomas Dugan, Harry Northwood's cousin and the founder of Dugan Glass; this is followed by an extensive description of the glassworks from its early Dugan years through its phase as the Diamond Glass Company. Burns next provides a subchapter on Dugan & Diamond colors -- an interesting section, because peach opalescent was emblematic of Dugan, rather than the scarce color it became in other companies' carnival production. Burns also provides copious information on Dugan & Diamond forgeries and reproductions, essential to any buyer of Dugan & Diamond glass.

The 130 pages that follow provide historical and anecdotal information about all carnival glass patterns issued by the Dugan & Diamond Company, accompanied by detailed photographs. Burns' writing is lively and more personable than that of the more matter-of-fact standard guides, yet DUGAN & DIAMOND CARNIVAL GLASS still manages to be dense with useful factual detail. Although written in 1998, the book is by no means outdated: aside from its price lists (which clearly are obsolete), all information provided in the book continues to be of great use to any seller or buyer dealing in old Dugan & Diamond glass. This book also contains a useful bibliography and numerous illustrations from old Dugan & Diamond catalogs.

[Added note: Published by Collector Books, 1999: 175 pages in all, with color photographs; large format - 8.5 x 11 inches.]