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Edward Drummond Libbey
Born April 17, 1854 in Chelsea,
Massachusetts. In 1874 after attending
Boston University he went to work for his
father in the New England Glass
Company and was elevated to president
after his father’s death in 1883. In 1888,
because of rising production costs
Libbeymoved the company to Toledo and
renamed it, The Libbey Glass Company.
He later also founded Owens Bottle
Machine Company and the Libbey-
Owens Sheet Glass Company. Libbey’s
many successes gained Toledo the titles
“Glass Capital of the World” and ‘Glass
City”.
He was a collector of fine art which led him to found the Toledo Museum
of Art in 1901. He served as president from 1901 to 1925 and continued
to contribute land, money and art to the museum. In his will he also pro-
vided two million dollars to construct a school of design, and concert hall
and the Edward Drummond Libbey high school which opened its doors
in 1925. He died November 13, 1925 from pneumonia at the age of 72.
His wife, Florence Scott Libbey continued his legacy until her death in
March of 1959.
Lots 1-18 are ex Libbey which he gifted to Toledo museum in 1906 and
others given later by Libbey’s wife after his death. The following scans are
purchases by Libby for the museum which he acquired in Egypt in 1906.
The catalog was written by the Assistant Curator of the Cairo Museum.