Hemingray Glass Company - Agent

John A. Dobson & Co.

The house of John A. Dobson & Co., No. 31 South Charles street, Baltimore, is as well known to all in the glass trade, as is the Battle Monument to visitors to the monumental city. It was established in 1830 by R. Edwards, Jr., who came to Baltimore with the samples of the Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. By close attention and unswerving integrity, the business was so increased, that gradually the house became the agent (at their solicitation) of the majority of the Eastern glass houses; and it may now be classed as the oldest glass agency in this country. After many years service as clerk in this employ, John A. Dobson was admitted as a partner in the concern, and continued as such until 1866, when he purchased the interest of Mr. Edwards, and became the sole proprietor, carrying on the business in his own name. In July, 1872, Mr. F. C. Seeman, after serving in the capacity first of boy, then clerk, became a member of the firm, which assumed its present name. It is now the largest firm of its kind in the Union, and numbers among its correspondents, the well-known New England Glass Co., J. H. Hobbs, Brockunier & Co., the La Belle Glass Co., the Richards & Hartley Flint Glass Co., Evans, Sell & Co., George Duncan & Sons, Wm. Doyle & Co., Atterbury & Co., Wm. Frank & Sons, the Hemingray Glass Co., A. J. Beatty & Sons, James Edwards & Co., (England) the Greenwood Pottery Co., the Phoenixville Pottery Co., and several others, together with the leading brass factories.

This concern sells more common tumblers (of which they make a specialty) than any other house in the East. They also do a large trade in table ware and toilet sets, etc. Col. Dobson, the senior member of the firm, is the best known GLASS MAN in this country, and there are few houses in that line that have not had dealings with him, and none have found him otherwise than an A-1 business man.