Mosser Glass (pronounced MOSS-urr – rhymes with “saucer”), located in Cambridge Ohio, has been producing high quality hand-pressed glass for over 40 years. One of the few great American glass makers still in existence, they have produced cat figurines in 4 different styles:
Sitting Cat (retired – 1979 – 2007) #101
Standing just 3″ tall, the sitting cat was produced from 1979-2007. The mould was made by Mosser Glass – the figurine has prominent eyes and is seated, looking up and to its left, with its tail curled on its left side. There is a lot of detail in the fur and in the whiskers. The sitting cat was made in numerous colors and in satin and iridized finishes. Early ones can be found in many beautiful and unique slag glass combinations. Some later ones were handpainted, similar to the Fenton cats.
The Mosser “M” can be found on the back of the cat at the base of the tail. It can be hard to see amidst the pattern of the fur. Cats from the mid-80’s or earlier have an additional “M” on the plunger mark at the bottom of the piece.
Some cats have a little notch or bubble of extra glass in the right ear. This occurred during production. Unless it is a very common color, this shouldn’t be considered a dealbreaker. The feet on these cats are delicate and very prone to breakage – when buying, check for chipped, broken or missing feet, or signs of repair.
Recent prices have been unpredictable. There has been a surge in interest in these cats in early 2023 and prices have been running much higher than before – it’s definitely a seller’s market, with even common colors commanding 3 figure prices!
Previously, I’ve seen lots of 3 including at least one hard to find or very desirable color go for around $100, only to have a larger lot with the same color go for less than half of that just a few months later. Generally prices for single cats ranged from $20-$40. They are retired, so if you like these figurines, anything you can find for under $50 is a bargain at the moment!
Resources:
- Mosser Glass Sitting Cats – Collectors’ and Buyers’ Guide
- Mosser Sitting Cat Colors
- UV Reactivity in Mosser Cats
Fluffy Cat / “Kitty” (current) – #123
The Fluffy Cat, aka Kitty is still being manufactured by Mosser Glass. It is a big larger than the sitting cat, measuring about 3.5″ high and 3″ by 1.75″ on the base. It has been produced in a number of solid clear and opaque colors, including frosted and carnival glass variations. They are also sold hand painted, like the now discontinued Fenton cats. Prices for new fluffy cats usually run in the range of $15-$30.
Fluffy kitten / cat color list
Laying Down or Reclining Cat (retired) – #194
Another “retired” Mosser figurine, the reclining cat is slightly larger than the other Mosser cats – 4.25″ long and 1.75″ high. It was only made in a few colors – solid and opaque, some iridized, satin, opalescent or handpainted. The reclining cat has the Mosser “M” stamp on the bottom of the cat. This mould originally belonged to Imperial / Heisey Glass.
See the full list of Mosser reclining cat colors
Mini Kitten on a Basket Salt (current) – #235
Also sometimes called the “mini kitten on a nest”, this salt dip or small trinket box is just 2.75″ long and 2.5″ high and features a cat lying down on a basket or nest. The Mosser “M” is stamped in the center of the lower half of the box. It is still being manufactured. Prices are usually in the range of $15-$30.
The Sitting Cat and Reclining cat are retired, the Fluffy Cat / Kitty and Cat on a Nest are still being produced. Additionally, Mosser is now producing Fenton glass cats for sale by Fentin, using the Fenton moulds.
Identification
Mosser cats can be identified by a paper label or the letter “M” stamped on the cat. Older Sitting Cat figurines also have an “M” on the plunger mark on the bottom of the figure – either a large capital “M” or a smaller capital “M” which may appear to be circled. The Fluffy Cat has an M in the shape of the state of Ohio on it’s right side, between the front and back leg.
Some of the Mosser cats were handpainted by Mosser Glass. Cats painted by Mosser are signed by “Shell”, “Goldie” or “B. Newton.”
For color identification, see our unofficial Mosser Sitting Cat color list, or our color lists for the Laying Down Cat and Fluffy Kitty.