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Since I purchased Tucker 1044 on January 17, 2017, I became a collector of "everything Tucker." When I purchased a green Boyd glass figurine of a Tucker on eBay in April 2019, I really had no idea of the little treasure that I had acquired. My friend Meredith Jaffe turns out to have a significant collection of the Boyd Tucker figurines and provides this insight in this special guest post.

Enjoy,

Howard Kroplick

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Boyd’s Crystal Art Glass Tucker Figurines

By Dr. Meredith B. Jaffe

As a second-generation glass artisan, Bernard C. Boyd acquired the glass factory and moulds of Degenhart’s Crystal Art Glass in Cambridge, Ohio, in 1978. With its already established reputation for the creation of beautifully designed paperweights, hen-on-nest salt cellars, and animal figurines using unique glass formulas and coloration techniques, Boyd made a commitment to never repeat a color of any piece after its production run of one to two days. Son Bernard F. partnered with his father in this venture and, after attending Capital University, grandson John joined the family business.

 As Boyd’s Crystal Art Glass, Inc., facilities were upgraded, new moulds were added, an array of colors was introduced, and an identifying “B in Diamond” mark was modified every five years. From people visiting the factory’s adjacent store, the Boyds realized that there was a demand for figurines that might appeal more to boys and men. After Bernard F. successfully introduced a train engine and its cars, a customer who owned a Tucker suggested this unique automobile.

After a mould was fashioned from a metal model, the first glass Tucker rolled out of the kiln on August 28, 1989, in Windsor Blue. Over the next five years, a total of thirty different colors were released. Due to demand, the “retired” Tucker was reintroduced in seven additional colors. With its increased popularity, Boyd’s decided to create a second series; this group boasts thirty additional colors. Some of the colors were noted to be slag (streaked or swirled appearance), Vaseline (able to glow yellow to green under UV black light), and iridescent (“Carnival”) varieties, a testimony to the glassmaking expertise of Boyd’s. On July 1, 2013, the last Tucker was produced in Mocha. Perhaps more would have been released, but the factory closed the following year.

The Tuckers were not only available through Boyd’s and dealers, but they were also promoted in Tucker Tribune, the official blog of the Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc. TACA members shared information, and possibly were privy to some of the specialized releases. For example, the Columbia Green Tucker was produced as a limited edition to pay homage to those killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster. Other models were available with hand-painted details, “satinized” with a frosted finish, or signed by Bernard F. himself.

 For glass collectors and Tucker aficionados, Boyd’s Crystal Art Glass offers a plethora of collecting options. It is indeed a challenge to acquire all sixty-seven available colors…more than Preston Tucker ever conceived! 

Meredith Jaffe's collection of 62 of the 67 different Boyd Tuckers produced and counting!.

This Cherry Red Carnival Boyd Tucker gleams!

These Pearly Pink and Aloe Carnival figurines sport painted details.

The Teal Tucker and its satinized variant

Meredith's two Columbia Green Boyd Tucker -Regular and satin (frosted) finished.

Howard Kroplick's Columbia Green Tucker

My Columbia Green Tucker  is #3 in the Boyd Second Series.

My Boyd Tucker is #66 of the limited production run of 250, all signed by Bernard Boyd.

As seen by the pen in this image, the figurine measures 3 1/2" x 1 1/2".