You need to take into consideration the fact that most of the manganese sources in Russia (which, in turn, were exported to the U.S.) were controlled by German mining corporations. After the German ambassador delivered the declaration of war to the Tsar in August 1914, the mines were expropriated (in effect, shut down). But using 1914 as the cut-off doesn't work, because U.S. glass manufacturers (1) had stockpiles of manganese, and( 2) were already in the process of replacing manganese with selenium. I will refrain from commenting on current issues that are related to this thread, although I can't help but note that the entry of the U.S. into the European war was dictated by U.S. munitions manufacturers. Original Message -----
From: Vergil E. Noble<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 12:24 PM
Subject: Re: manganese clarified glass date
The Parks Canada Glass Glossary (1985) by Olive Jones and Catherine
Sullivan (and others), page 13, says "This type of glass (solarized) was
most common from the last quarter of the 19th century until World War I,
but it does occur earlier, especially in 18th century French crizzled
glasses."
I suspect that common use of the specific year "1917" may owe to an
American perspective on the general temporal landmark of WW I, since the US
entered into that three-year-old war on April 6 of that year. If one
assumes that the war disrupted supplies of manganese, I suppose that the
effect could have been felt in some places as early as the latter part of
1914.
Michael Pfeiffer
<[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
.US> cc: (bcc: Vergil Noble/MWAC/NPS)
Sent by: Subject: Re: manganese clarified glass date
HISTORICAL
ARCHAEOLOGY
<[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
09/22/04 12:36 PM
EST
Please respond to
HISTORICAL
ARCHAEOLOGY
"1915 - Glass formulas delete manganese". In: Some Common Artifact Found
at Historical Sites. Cultural Resources Report No.31, USDA Forest Service,
Southwestern Region, Albuqueque, N.M., February 1980 by David Gillio,
Francis Levine, and Douglas Scott. page 17
"Manganese was used in bottle glass up to about 1917 in order to give the
glass a clearer effect. After this date, ultra-violet rays of the sun
would not turn glass "purple", a change caused by the manganese content of
the glass."
IMACS users Guide, April 1984, section 472. This is the guide to filling
out site forms for computer entry back then. It was developed in Region 4
(Utah, Nevada, and southern 2/3 of Idaho). I used it in 1983 and 1984
while working for the BLM in Salmomn, Idaho.
I don't have the orginal sources.
:-(
Smoke (Michael A.) Pfeiffer, RPA
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
605 West Main Street
Russellville, Arkansas 72801
(479) 968-2354 Ext. 233
e-mail: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
Cathy Spude
<Cathy_Spude@NPS<mailto:Cathy_Spude@NPS>.
GOV> To
Sent by: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
HISTORICAL cc
ARCHAEOLOGY
<[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject
> manganese clarified glass date
09/22/2004 11:13
AM
Please respond to
HISTORICAL
ARCHAEOLOGY
<[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
HISTARCHers:
I'm looking for a citation for the end date of the use of manganese to
clarify glass in the United States. Dale Berge in his still relevant report
on the Simpson's Springs excavations in Utah tells us it was 1917, based on
a collector's book (Ferraro and Ferraro 1964). I have "known" for some
years now that the United States stopped importing manganese from Germany
as early as 1915 and that is a better end date for glass that solarizes
purple. I've used that date for some time now, but a reviewer on one of my
reports wants a citation (*&#!*#!!!). I've gone through all my standard
references and can't find anyone else who will back me up.
Anyone who can help?
Cathy
Catherine Holder Spude ¨ Archeologist ¨ Cultural Resources Management ¨
National Park Service – Intermountain Region ¨ 505.988.6831Voice ¨
505.988.6876 Fax
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American
people so that all may experience our heritage.
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