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Welcome to “Steve on Steins.”

 “The Glastonbury=?? !”

 


This site’s information is free to the public and was developed for educational and informational purposes for beginning stein collectors. If you use this resource for whatever reason, except those noted above, please reference www.steveonsteins.com. Thank you!!


This site does have its own search engine [top right on each page!] SO if one puts in “Wood Steins” or “PUZZLE MUGS,” it will give one a list of all the pages that should have that subject matter word within it. 


My web site is not just a blog. My site was created for informational purposes too help combat all the mis-information, misnomers, myths and just out-right “bull crap” that has been promoted about beer steins, etc. for at least the last 100 or so years. I do not mind you using any of my published information, but would you please give my site the proper credit it is due!!  (www.steveonsteins.com)

I have worked over 6 years providing all this and  as you know it is free! I believe that proper credit is the least you could do;  thereby helping  me promote my site and getting good information about drinking vessels out to the public,  Thank you very  much;

Stephen L Smith, Editor.


A grouping of Theresienthal beer steins showing some of the variety of styles that can be found. [FWTD]


ANOTHER  SPECIAL EDITOR’S NOTE: THIS WEB SITE IS SET UP USING A “WORD PRESS”  PROGRAM ON A “FIREFOX SYSTEM.”  WHEN PAGES ARE DISPLAYED USING ANOTHER PROGRAM THEY MAY HAVE LOTS OF BLANK SPACES AND ILLOGICAL PLACEMENT OF PHOTOS AND / OR  MORE.

I AM SORRY THAT THIS HAPPENS BUT THEN I JUST USE WHAT THE COMPUTER GIANTS SUPPLY US PEONS!

STEVE


My most favorite Theresienthal  (T-H) beer stein form and hand applied  design, a .5 liter, Circa 1890. This lid is different from the one, top right in the photo above. It was one of T-H’s favorites, and best sellers too. [FWTD]

 


▲A three liter enameled beer / wine server, with  outlined highlights in gold paint. [FWTD]


 

Very nice enameling Coat of Arms on this beer server. Made for an  unknown family.  [FWTD]


 

▲  ▲  ▲Above: A closer view of three of the Theresienthal beer or wine servers, showing the diversity of the pieces and techniques used by Theresienthal. All Circa 1880 – 90. [FWTD]

 

 

 

A couple of more of my favorites by this firm: Two above ▲ ▲: 18 Inch tall Austrian Coat of Arms pokal.

One above ▲: another beautiful rendition of the gold trimmed leaves with a splendid pewter lid by G.Th. M. (The Brothers Tannhauer, Munich.) [BOTH FWTD]

 

[Center] The latest addition to the Theresienthal collection: A Master Stein (server) with gold lined leaves and “drum” borders of blue prunts. All Circa 1880-90. [ALL FWTD]

 

Just a typical night at “Smith’s Museum and Tavern” (S M & T), where everyone of Steve’s friends is drinking from their hand picked personal favorite vessel “FROM WHICH TO DRINK: [FWTD]”

Just a few of the German Fayence steins Steve’s buddies get to choose from at the S M & T.  [FWTD]

 

A - DISPLAY cropped 5-13

Or they may wish to try out one of my Daubenkrugs (the wood and pewter combos on the

top shelf.)   [FWTD]

,

SOS - WESTERWALD DISPLAY 12=2013 OUTDATED BY 1-1-14 GLASS REMOVED WHOLE THING REARRANGED

▲A small display of Westerwald and Regensburg drinking vessels.[FWTD]

.

WEB SITE STATUS.SATURDAY  1-17-15  JUST RETURNED FOR A MONTH’S JOURNEY TO DENVER AND BACK – I DROVE  TO SEE THE NEWEST GRANDKIDS. WILL BE STARTING TO POST MORE PHOTOS IN A DAY OR TWO. BOUGHT SEVERAL METAL DRINKING VESSELS WHICH I WILL BE  POSTING ON THE “NEW ADDITIONS TO THE SM&T PAGE” IN A DAYT OR TWO.  HAPPY COLLECTING,

STEVE

“Hopfen & Malz / Gott erhalt’s” = “Hops and Malt – God preserve them!”

 

 

“Stein Collecting Materialism” – Buying things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people that don’t matter!”

For those who were keeping track, on 10-18-12, I moved my health status report to the next page: “About Steve.”

KUDOS:  A couple of recent selected “kudos.” It is nice to get a pat on the back once in awhile:

  7/9/14

Steve,

Thank you for your amazing work on your website. I am in awe and have learned so much and have acquired a new born amazement for beer steins etc. Who would have ever known there was such amazing variety.

I do not know if you are still answering questions, but if you are I am hoping perhaps you can tell me your thoughts on the attached photo/pieces. After looking at your Theresienthal and J. Lichtinger pages and looking at anything else I could find on the collaborations (the pewter work is inspiring) I began to think that my grandfather’s pitcher and glass holder (unfortunately this is the only surviving piece- there were 4 with the green glass inserts when I was growing up)might be the work of these two artists. Looking through all of your photos, I noticed things like the rose in the thumb lift and additional similarities in this section, the “c” handle, as well as the ribbing detail in the base and cap and of course the thumb molding in the glass. Judging from your work, I am guessing that the pieces date around 1890?

I would be most grateful for any thoughts you might have.

Sincerely,

Dana

.

Steve,

Well if I am not a dummy .I just found your Cranberry set of the Theresienthal/Lichtinger. It’s stunning. Makes me sad that all our glasses are gone.

Thank you again for your site and all the beautiful pictures.

Sincerely,

Dana

6-3o-2013

What a wonderful site Stephen, thank you very much.  I have searched for information about my father’s stein collection (he passed in 1960) and specifically about the one or two with these little crystal eyes that he used to like to show to folks. 
Two questions:  1. can I send you a couple of photos for more information?
2. I was intregued by Janet’s statement (the jewler) and wondering if you know how I can contact the Stanhope company: “I have written the Stanhope company to see if they can give me an idea as to when this Stanhope was made.”

Thank you again for your excellent information,
Brock S.
Anchorage, Alaska
shamberg@gci.net

.

5-21-2013

Steve, Just wanted to thank you for all the work you’ve done on giving us information and learning on steins, curiosity, and history. I have 130+ steins myself and love knowing the things you put out there for us.  Thank you for all that you do!

David H. in Seattle

5-18-2013

 Hello-
After hours of research, I was finally able to identify 2 mysterious copper “jars” that I found in Gettysburg, PA!
Thank you for all of the information that you have made available! I couldn’t have figured it out without your website!
I am attaching a picture, as I still can not find any others quite like them. I thought you may appreciate taking a look.

Have a great day!
Blessings,
Kelly

.

4-4-2013  = A $3,700.00 mistake averted!!

Steven, (sic)

Sorry to here about ”  I have watched a few of the items at Gary Kirsner.

To up date you on the Rock Island auction. My adult son, who also read your postings and I both took these in at the viewing and every thing you say about looking for a fake was then evident.

Obviously i did not bid, but did check the price afterwards the 6 steins as a group went for around $3700.  Unbelievable that was more than i would have though even if they had been real.

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/1020/lid/1617

jimmy

The six repros mentioned above

3-5-2013

Appreciate your series of three articles on repro regimental steins. You confirmed for me that there are some high quality repros on the market now from Germany. I was shocked by the quality of the KB IR 23 stein in part 3 (new repro number 4). That stein looked real.
 
I have been a serious collector of regimental steins for six years and enjoy a small set of about 38 original steins. My Christmas present was a beautiful ceramic naval stein (SMS Deutschland). Like most, I learned the hard way how to identify real from repro. While 99% of repros are now easy to identify, I’ve noticed some high quality repros the past two years – that one percent. While the body of the stein looks real with all the usual characteristics, the generally poor quality lid gives them away. Just saw a high quality ceramic naval stein for 1,200 euro on the German eBay this past weekend – the lid was exceptionally high quality, but the base gave it away as I saw the same base design on obvious repro stein.
 
Anyway, thank you for publishing your series on the Internet.   
 
Bob B

1-5-2013

Thank you for the good information on glass bottom mugs. My wife was at Gadsby’s Tavern in Alexandria yesterday where she was told glass bottoms were there to let the tavern keeper know when you were almost out of beer.

Seemed odd to me since you can tell that by how far back someone has to tip their mug anyhow.

Regards,  Dan

Daniel S
Orange CA

12-18-2012

Steve, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

I can not express the joy in my heart at having stumbled onto your stein website. I was researching a medical device at work when I found your site and emailed the link to my home. I have been a collector myself for over half a century. As a youngster growing up in South Texas i began an ever widening search for Civil War items. That was in the 1960s. I often ran across beer steins in my search but knew that I could only afford to collect one subject at a time. I resisted the urge to collect steins, all the while gaining an appreciation for them, until about 15 years ago. I don’t buy many because of the expense.

I also collect Scandinavian knives, lucky pennies from Texas, gray hair and gas. (Ed. note: I loved this line = firefighter type of humor!)

I joined the SCI about 10 or 12 years ago but my job made it impossible to make a meeting. I joined the Lone Star Chapter and made on meeting but I only vaguely remember it. I was working from 5pm until 5am and was almost too tired to navigate. Seems there was some kind of friction in the club at the time because someone came out and looked at what I brought for display and said “Well at least their old!” and went back into the house. It was an interesting experience.

I have always been interested in the story behind the item. I read a lot and try to understand the context in history that something was used in. I’ve never written much for publication, never went to college. Collecting anything today is getting difficult with so many “investor groups” pushing prices up and the vest pocket dealers getting dumber and dumber.

I’ll be back to your site often. I may even put my 2 cents worth in. I own a few wooden steins, a couple of drinking horns (real ones) a much a art nouveau steins, and a hodge podge of others.
Sincerely & Have A Safe & Happy Holiday Season.
Dan A
Webster, Texas

11-26-12

Steve,

I wanted to thank you – Back in 2011 I sent you an email asking for your help on a stein I wanted to buy my husband off eBay.  My husband was stationed in Germany during his Army service and really enjoyed learning about the steins while he was there.  I bought the one you looked at for me – We love it! 

I couldn’t get back with you because his mother took ill, my husband had to quit work to take care of her and I took over the bills for both homes.  (So, I was a bit busy and too tired for the internet)  Things have settled down a bit – we got her on her feet and healthy as can be for an 81 year old. 

We have since kept your website as our go to when we want to research steins.  We now have 4 regimental steins – we are pretty sure one is not real after being on your site extensively, but for $60 I had to have it (from an antique store) because it is still so beautiful. 

So, Steve, in a nutshell – we appreciate you – we appreciate the time you have put in to your website – we have learned so much because of you.  We always look at each other and say, “let’s go to Steve on Steins Website and see what he says.”   We have enjoyed your site for the past few years now – you have helped this couple in Indiana to be more knowledgeable on steins.

Thank you from Jim and Kathy in Indiana

Happy Holidays

 

Steve’s belief: Have no doubt: the price of “cheap” natural gas obtained by hydraulic fracturing (aka, “fracking”) is actually quite exorbitant: nothing less than poisoning of the waters of Earth.  It is a looming ecological nightmare (see the video of the lady  turning on the faucet and setting fire to the water coming out!!) that requires the opposition of every human being who loves life more than money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LBjSXWQRV8

[&]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd8pr6uFA_Y

 

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