JAJ Pyrex was manufactured in Sunderland, England for 50 years. This gorgeous oval casserole in Flora pattern was manufactured in the 1960's - 70's.
Cooks Fall in Love With Pyrex
In 1851, Corning Glass Works was founded under another name in Summerville, MA. By 1868 the company had settled in Corning, NY where they adopted the Corning name. They invented Pyrex in 1922 as bakeware that could withstand high temperatures while being beautiful enough to go from oven to table. This eliminated the need for a separate serving dish and more cleanup work. Cooks loved the new kitchenware, and a love affair with Pyrex began that exists to this day.
Pyrex Goes to England, and then to France
Meanwhile, in 1852 Sunderland Glassworks was founded in Sunderland, England. After changing hands several times, it was purchased by James A. Jobling (JAJ) in 1886 and eventually renamed James A. Jobling & Co. By 1921 the company was struggling financially and on the brink of bankruptcy when Jobling's nephew suggested approaching Corning Glass Works for a license to manufacture Pyrex in England. It was granted, and new life was breathed into the dying company as sales took off in the U.K. Pyrex eventually acquired the company, and in 2007 U.K. manufacturing was moved from England to France.
JAJ Pyrex, aka Crown Pyrex
JAJ Pyrex had their own unique colors and patterns which are highly collectible today. From the early 1950's until 2007, the bottom was stamped with a Crown and the words "Made in England." Kevin photographed it (above), but the white stamp on white milkglass makes it a little difficult to see.
The oval casserole dish pictured at the top is in the Flora pattern, and though I can't locate an exact manufacturing date, several sources state that it was manufactured in the late 1960's/early 1970's. I love the bold, cheerful mid century flower pattern and colors. I found this dish and stand on Etsy. I normally wouldn't pay for overseas shipping, but it was so exquisite I couldn't resist! I don't think the stand is original to the dish. Though many Pyrex casseroles did come with a stand, I can't find a reference to this particular style of stand anywhere. But it is period correct and the casserole fits in it perfectly, so I'm happy with it.
I only have a handful of vintage Pyrex pieces and am looking forward to collecting more. Do you collect vintage Pyrex? If so, please tell us about it and post some pictures!
Laura says
I love vintage Pyrex! There are so many great pieces but the ones I use most consistently are my vintage Pyrex refrigerator dishes. They're my favorite for leftovers. I inherited a few from my great aunt and now I always look for them at flea markets.
Vickie M James Munford says
I recently found a clear rectangular either baking dish or a lid with the crown logo and Pyrex beneath the logo. I have been unable to identify it anywhere. It has a flanged lip about 1/2" wide all the way around., which seams to small for handles to me and more like the dish of a lid that would seat into a wider dish. On the narrow width sides I see numbers 147 on one end and 52-4 on the other. the end with 52-4 after you flip it over is also stamped 16B. I measures 9-5/8" x 7-1/2". Can you please help me identify and possibly a value?
Nancy says
Hi Vickie! I don't know if I can help you, but I'm happy to try. Can you email a photo to [email protected]? Thanks!
Alison Calderwood says
Hello! I found you by doing a Google Image search of a Pyrex logo, which is identical to your photo. Funny thing is, we found this Pyrex dish caught in the roots of an old tree on a riverbank in western New South Wales, Australia (ie almost the outback). We presume it was washed there in a flood. We were imagining it came from a house that was flooded at some stage in the last 60 years. It would be good advertising, as there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it, and we are now using it. If only it could talk.