My glass is self-destructing : (

I used just this cake stand last week for a pound cake and needed to wash it off this morning. I noticed a stress crack that I had not really noticed before; it was about 3" long. The stand needed cleaned anyway so I washed in warm water and put it aside to drain. I then noticed that the crack was "growing", and quickly extending to the edge gallery on one end of the crack and further towards and around the stem on the other end. So I thought, "I'll check my old photos" and in the database photos I noticed a small (maybe 1/2") refracting light spot that seems to be origination of the current self-destruction.

The pattern is Hobbs, Brockunier #77 Stem (the plateau is the same on their hand stem pedestal) c1880s.

I'm guessing there is nothing to do now (or before really) but lament...

or maybe this one was just cursed because it is number 69 in my database! better go check #13!!!

this is a photo from 2010 showing a small glint of refracting light at the originating stress crack.


the sunlight coming in the kitchen window reflects off the developing crack.



this shows how the crack extends to the edge and begins to curve around the stem. The dark line to the left of the end of the crack appears to be another stress crack in the making.

 

I'm shedding tears for you. What a loss.

 

GACK! How odd. It waited all these years - just waited - and then . . .

 

yep, this is another reason I hate to ship glass in winter...

 

So so so sorry, Cakesie.
Do you think it was a manufacturing flaw, or an undetected (at the time) tiny little ding? This is probably a silly question, but... can you use any of the glass-mending technology (like advertised on TV, for example) to fix boo-boos on your glass?

 

Um...was that the old-fashioned kind of pound cake that is big and heavy?

 

So sorry...

 

it seems the stress started in an area where it was not as likely due to a bump but no way to tell for sure. Don't think it is something that "SafeLite" could help in any way. I'll just set it aside to gaze upon, and should the plate eventually break, I can repurpose the stem...

to purveyors of glass, this is a warning sign to be aware of any small checks or visible refractions, as they are can result in severe damage during shipment...

 

Ahh, okay, thanks!

 

This is why I don't buy glass and china during the cold season. Abrupt changes in temperature can cause all kinds of trouble.

And Tallcakes, I realize this is idiotic, but it annoys me that one of your pieces could have this happen. I am indignant!

 

LOL! Skeezix, a few years ago, my family could have provided you with a number of bottles of Turlington's Balsam. Absolutely dreadful tasting stuff, but it works for gawdawful coughs. Paralysed the throat, that's why!

 

What a peculiar thing to happen!

 

I'm sorry to hear about this......glass is a funny creature.

Had a glass ashtray blow up on me once...

 

The dangerous thing can be exploding paperweights and it can happen many years after making. Get the annealing wrong and it's nasty.

 

Hi,
Bear, now you have scared the Hell out of me. I have had glass crack on it's own but never explode. Now something else I have to worry about. I am looking with beaded eye at my paperweights. I hope you were referring to new ones, mine are all at least 75 years old. Something else to think about.
greg

 

If they're that old, don't worry.

 

A few weeks ago, I placed a piece of Imperial Cape Cod in my microwave, set the timer, closed the door, pushed Start button (oh so automaton like). A second later, realizing what I had done, I turned around to shut off the microwave and heard "crack!!". Too late. The piece had a crack that perfectly sliced the base right off like a sharp knife was used. Fortunately, there's a lot of Cape Cod out there (this piece was a Spider), but that won't always be the case.

I've always wondered why you can put Pyrex in a HOT oven but you can't use it on the stove top. What do they know about its manufacture that I don't?

Glass can behave strangely at times. That said, I will be posting a new thread to get your opinions about what happened to a cake stand I have. Later . . .