In this compilation of books and other publications, we have divided the list into three sections (A-C), according to their importance for collectors of Loetz glass. Many of the publications are out of print, as noted in the description, but second-hand copies sometimes appear on eBay or elsewhere on the internet.
A: Loetz Reference Books
If you want to invest in just one book, at least initially, the 2003 German book Lötz Böhmisches Glas 1880-1940 (Book 2 below) or its English translation Loetz Bohemian Glass 1880-1940 (Book 1) would be the place to start. (Don't buy both of them - apart from the language, they are identical!). As your interest deepens, Book 3 Volume 2 and Book 4 will enable you to identify many glass objects based on the original paper patterns used by the glassmakers (the CD-ROM supplied with Books 1 and 2 as a replacement for Book 3 Volume 2 is less user friendly).
Once the Loetz bug has bitten you, you'll want all the books in Section A and probably some of those in Sections B and C too!
Hunting for the out-of-print books and publications is almost as much fun as hunting for the glass itself!
1) 'Loetz Bohemian Glass 1880-1940' by Jan Mergl, Ernst Ploil and Helmut Ricke, English edition published in 2003 by Neue Galerie New York, ISBN 3-7757-1322-0, 352 pages. Out of print but widely available second-hand.
The book is shown below with and without dust cover. We're including photos without dust covers as they may be missing on second-hand books.
Probabably this is the first book you should invest in as a collector - or potential collector - of Loetz glass. In its 350 pages it contains numerous articles on the history of the Loetz company, the glass it manufactured, and the designers it worked with. There are useful lists of the signatures and marks that will help you to identify genuine Loetz glass. There is also a catalogue of decorations.
One might argue that our www.loetz.com website has reduced the value of this fine book in recent years, as the 'Decors Index' on www.loetz.com is more comprehensive and more up-to-date. But we would still strongly recommend obtaining this book - there is a lot of information in areas which are not (yet!) covered on www.loetz.com, and the many large-format photos of Loetz glass (ca. 500!) are gorgeous!
Importantly, the book includes a CD-ROM in a sleeve inside the back cover with prints of over 5,000 paper patterns from the Loetz archive, and this invaluable tool is not something you will find on our website; however, production notes and decor information which were included in the second volume of the original 1989 German edition (Book 3 below) are NOT provided on the CD-ROM which replaced it.
BE AWARE that the catalogue of paper patterns, whether on CD-ROM or in book form, is not comprehensive; it does not include all of the patterns known to exist, but a representative selection of patterns from every era of Loetz glass production from 1885 until 1936.
2) 'Lötz Böhmisches Glas 1880-1940' by Jan Mergl, Ernst Ploil and Helmet Ricke, German Edition published in 2003 by Hatje Cantz, ISBN 3-7757-1321-2, 352 pages. Out of print but widely available second-hand.
This book, shown below with and without dust cover, is the German edition of the Neue Galerie book shown above. You don't need both as they are identical except that the text here is all in German; photos and the content of the CD-ROM are identical. DON'T confuse this book with the 1989 Prestel book described next (Book 3).
3) 'Lötz Böhmisches Glas 1880-1940' by Helmut Ricke, Tomáš Vlček, Alena Adlerová and Ernst Ploil, Band 1: Werkmonographie ISBN 3-7913-0984-6, 384 pages; Band 2: Katalog der Musterschnitte ISBN 3-7913-0986-2, 395 pages. German Edition published in 1989 by Prestel-Verlag. Out of print, but appears from time to time second hand.
This two-volume work was only published in German, and is now out of print. It was the catalogue for exhibitions of Loetz glass in Duesseldorf, Frankfurt and Prague.
Band (Volume) 1 is effectively an earlier edition of Book 2 described above; much of the text is the same but the photos seldom overlap and there are 400 of them here. The Decors Index is smaller than in the later book, as many hitherto unknown decors were identified between 1989 and 2003.
The biggest difference between the 1989 and 2003 books is that the former has a second volume, Band 2, that takes the place of the 2003 CD-ROM. As already mentioned, Band 2 contains production notes and decor information that is not included on the CD-ROM accompanying Book 1 and Book 2.
Our recommendation? If you are serious about collecting Loetz glass, try to get a second-hand copy of the 1989 books to go with your 2003 book, for the additional photos and, especially, for Band 2 as an improvement over the CD-ROM).
Again, both volumes (Band 1 + 2) are shown below with and without dust covers.
4) 'Loetz / Series II, Paper Patterns for Glass from 1900-1914' by Jitka Lneničková, published by Muzeum Šumavy, Sušice, 2011, ISBN 978-80-87235-05-8, 903 pages. Available from Muzeum Sumavy, as described below.
This massive scholarlarly work presents over 10,000 black-and-white illustrations of the surviving original paper patterns from Series II of Loetz production from 1900-1914, the majority of which have never been published before. They are arranged chronologically. These paper patterns served as the blueprints for many of the most collected and sought after examples in the entire Loetz oeuvre. As you can see in the illustration below, beneath each paper pattern is included information on the decors, colours and invoices for that particular shape and size.
The book is an immense and heroic achievement, not only giving collectors new insights into the decors and shapes produced by Loetz during this most fruitful period of its existence, but also preserving for posterity these fragile Loetz archives before they are lost forever. It is printed in black and white, in three languages (Czech, German and English). The book is very highly recommended for the serious collector and researcher.
PLEASE NOTE that this book only covers Series II of Loetz production, from 1900-1914. You also need Book 1 or 2 (CD-ROM) or Book 3 (Volume 2) above to see examples of paper patterns used for earlier and later production periods.
Last time we checked, the Muzeum Sumavy was still accepting orders for this book. To order, contact the Muzeum Sumavy, Sušice, Czech Republic, by emailing Dagmar Sperlova,
The book costs approximately CZK 3700 (ca. US$ 165) plus shipping. They ship worldwide. Once you have placed your order, the Museum will send final payment details to be made via bank transfer.
The book cover is shown below (it looks the same with or without dust cover), followed by two pages of the paper patterns.
5) 'Das Böhmische Glas 1700-1950' published by Georg Höltl, Passauer Glasmuseum, 1995. Available from Glasmuseum Passau, as described below.
This series of books comprises 7 volumes, the first 6 covering the successive periods of glass production in Bohemia, the 7th containing maps and an index. The texts are in German.
Volume (Band) I covers the Baroque, Rococco and Classicist periods, Volume II Empire, Biedermeier and Rococco Revival, and Volume III Historism. It is Volumes IV and VI that are of particular interest to the Loetz collector, covering, in order, Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) (Volume IV) and Art Deco and Modern (Volume VI). Volume V covers the Jugendstil period in Bavaria and Silesia, and contains no Loetz glass.
Each of the first 6 volumes comprises articles on the maunufacturers and designers of the era, with numerous colour photographs of examples from the Passau Glass Museum collection with very detailed captions.
Volume IV includes glass by Loetz (nearly half of the book), Meyr's Neffe, Kralik, Pallme-Koenig, Rindskopf, Welz, Knizek, Harrach, Riedel, Moser, Steinschoenau, Haida, Goldberg, Beyermann, and Lobmeyr.
Volume VI includes glass by Loetz (a quarter of the book) and most of its contemporaries mentioned for Volume VI.
We recommend that Loetz collectors acquire Volumes IV and VI at least, though the entire 7-volume set is well worth having:
- Volume IV Jugendstil in Boehmen, 312 pages, ISBN 3-927218-57-X
- Volume VI Art deco - Moderne, 138 pages, ISBN 3-927218-59-6
These two books are shown below, in their dust covers. They can be purchased from Glasmuseum, Schrottgasse 2, 94023 Passau, Germany, or email
6) Loetz Austria 1900 (320 pages) and Loetz Austria 1905-1918 (400 pages) by Waltraud Neuwirth, published by the author, 1986, ISBN 3-900282-26-9 and 3-900282-27-7. Out of print, but widely available second hand.
These are the earliest two books in this first section, Loetz Reference Books. There are colour photos of Loetz pieces shown in two exhibitions at the Museum of Applied Art (MAK) in Vienna and the Provincial Museum of Upper Austria in Linz in 1986-1987, but more interesting still is the extensive text (in German, French, Italian and English).
The topics covered in the first (1900) volume include a brief history of the Loetz glassworks and the original text of many reports - only in German - regarding Loetz's participation at expositions and fairs between 1835 and 1914, including descriptions of decors and notes on how they were manufactured, and many contemporary black-and-white photos.
The main topic covered in the second volume (1905-1918) is a history of the Loetz glassworks and the von Spaun family who owned it. There are several photos of family members, and contemporary black-and-white photos.
These books are out of print, but quite frequently second-hand copies appear on eBay or elsewhere. They are perhaps not as essential as the books reviewed earlier in this article, but they are a useful and fascinating addition to the library of serious Loetz collectors.
Once again, the two books are shown below with and without dust covers.
7) Lötz - Die Passion / Loetz - The Passion, text by Toby Sharp, photos by Olaf Ballnus, published by NBVD Potsdam & Hamburg, Germany, 2015, ISBN 978-3-939028-45-1, 158 pages. Out of print. May still be available new on eBay, or second hand.
This more recent, full-colour publication presents the favourite vases from the collections of ten longtime collectors of high-end Loetz glass. There are numerous beautiful photographs (including close-ups) of 50 of the very best Loetz vases, predominantly from the 1899-1904 period of Loetz production. Several of these vases are rare and previously undocumented Phaenomen decors.
Along with insights into the collector's mind, the book also features tips on how the condition of Loetz glass affects its value (including a condition / value grading chart), and helpful advice on storage, maintenance and insurance. The text is in both English and German.
This is an attractive 'coffee-table' volume, well worth acquiring, especially for the beauty of the glass and the excellence of the photos.
8) Loetz 1900 - The Loetz Glass Factory at the World Exhibition in Paris 1900, by Ernst Ploil and Toby Sharp, published by Im Kinsky, Vienna, 2017, ISBN 978-3-9503753-2-9, 240 pages. Available from ImKinsky, as shown below.
This is effectively a second, updated edition of the 1993 book 'Loetz auf der Weltausstellung Paris 1900' by Ernst Ploil, described in Section B below. It documents 75 of the 100 glass objects designed for Loetz by Franz Hofstoetter for the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. They are to found in museums and private collections, and are some of the most valuable, most collectible and most beautiful of all Loetz creations. There is also an overview of the signatures and marks applied to the vases, and original material showing the purchase prices. The text is in both English and German. Copies are available from
Like the previous book in this list, this is 'eye candy' for Loetz lovers rather than an essential information source, but it is recommended for its fine illustrations of very desirable glass!
B: Loetz Exhibition and Auction Catalogues
The first of these very nearly made it into Section A. The other two are of great historical interest.
9) Loetz 1900: Verre de Bohême, published by Musée du Verre de Conches, 2018, ISBN 978-2-9545359-5-1, 92 pages. Available from the museum, as shown below. This is the catalogue of an exhibition of Loetz glass at the Glass Museum in Conches, France, in 2018. Over 110 glass objects are illustrated in excellent colour photos. Much of the glass was on loan from the Glasmuseum Hentrich in Duesseldorf, Germany, or from private collections. The exhibition pieces covered most of the history of Loetz glass, from Octopus in 1897 until Prutscher in 1925. There is some text, all in French, and the photo captions are in French and English. Copies may still be available from https://museeduverre.fr.
10) Loetz auf der Weltausstellung Paris 1900 / Lötz at the World Exhibition Paris 1900, by Ernst Ploil, published by Glasgalerie Michael Kovacek, Vienna, 1993, ISBN 3-900-605-08-4, 112 pages. Second-hand copies appear from time to time, e.g. on eBay.
This book represents an early attempt to collect photos and descriptions of the Loetz glass shown at this famous exhibition. Many of the pieces shown were designed by Hofstoetter, including several 'black bottom' pieces; in all, there are photos of ca. 60 objects, most in colour, next to their matching paper patterns.
There is an interesting introductory text and a short pictorial showing how iridescent Phaenomen glass was made. All text is in English and German. By today's standards, the photos are of generally low quality and this volume is one for the completist rather than the general Loetz collector. The book is shown with and without cover.
11) Wiener Jugendstil Sonderauktion, 60th Auction Catalogue, Galerie Wolfgang Ketterer Muenchen, 1982, 126 pages. Second-hand copies appear from time to time, e.g. on eBay.
The first 85 photos in this catalogue are devoted to Loetz pieces in the auction. The photos are black-and-white (over 200 lots), and some of these lots additionally in colour (ca. 60 lots). The photos are of good quality for the period. There are a few errors in attribution and no decor names or production numbers, which were unknown at the time. We recommend this interesting catalogue to the serious collector, if you can find a second-hand copy.
Most fascinating for the modern collector are the price estimates for the different lots, as little was known about relative rarity at the time. For example, there is a Titania Gre 4212 PN II-429 valued at DM 8000 (about EUR 8000 today, with inflation) and a Hofstoetter PG 436 PN II-436 'setting sun' vase at DM 5000. Today the PG 436 would be worth at least ten times the Titania! You can find both vases in our Decors Index.)
The catalogue, which is all in German, also contains a few glass pieces by other manufacturers, ceramics by Powolny, and works in other media by Wieselthier, Moser, Hoffmann, Loos, Olbrich and Wagner.
C) Books on Bohemian Glass, including Loetz
None of these books are essential reading for the Loetz collector, but they provide useful information and are all worth considering.
12) Collectible Bohemian Glass, Vol. 1 (1880-1940)(176 pages) and Vol. 2 (1915-1945)(136 pages) by Robert and Deborah Truitt, self-published by B&D Glass in 1995 (Vol. 1) and 1998 (Vol. 2), ISBN 0-9668376-2-2 (only Vol. 2). Second-hand copies appear from time to time, e.g. on eBay.
These two volumes provide an interesting and well-researched overview of the various glasshouses active in Bohemia during the periods indicated. They are written in English.
Included in Volume 1 are a 10-page article on the history of Bohemian glass, maps indicating the many glasshouses, and brief text on over 25(!) of them with over 300 colour photos of glass objects; very valuable are the many photos from the original catalogues of many of these manufacturers, and there are dozens of illustrations of contemporary advertisements and visiting cards of glass manufacturers, cutters and decorators.
The second volume is organized according to the type of glass produced (cut, engraved, pressed, painted, furnace-decorated, etc) rather than by manufacturer, and again contains colour photos of hundreds of pieces together with photos of original catalogues and a section on marks, signatures and monograms; there is also a value guide, now obviously outdated.
Considering the books are 25 years old, there are very few misattributions. If you are only interested in Loetz glass, Volume 1 is the one to acquire.
The first photo show Volumes 1 (with dust cover) and 2, the second Volume 1 without its dust cover and Volume 2 (which has no dust cover).
13) Bohemian Glass, Tradition and Present, by Vondruška and Langhamer, published by Crystalex Novy Bor, 1991, 192 pages. Hard to find second-hand copies.
This is a 'nice to have' book rather than a 'must have', but a fascinating read nonetheless! It documents Bohemian glass from its earliest beginnings in the 1200s right the way through to the 1980s. There are interesting articles (all in English) on the successive periods from Gothic to (nearly) the present day. It includes 300 illustrations, mostly in rather high-quality colour, although the 'pure' Loetz collector may be disappointed that only a few Loetz pieces are included. Nearly half of the book is devoted to the period from 1918 onwards.
14) Glass Art: Reflections of the Centuries, by Helmut Ricke, published by Prestel, 2002, ISBN 3-7913-2793-3, 384 pages. Available new on e.g. Amazon.
This is the extended catalogue of the Hentrich Glass Collection at the Kunst Palast Museum in Duesseldorf, Germany. Ricke's excellent text - all in English - uses the pieces in the collection to document the history of art glass from pre-Roman antiquity up till the 1990s. There are photos of only a dozen Loetz pieces. The book includes maps documenting the spread of glass manufacturing over the centuries, and an illustrated section on art glass techniques.
15) A German Dictionary for English-Speaking Glass Collectors, by Elizabeth Meek, published by Glass Concepts, 2009, ISBN 978-0-9668376-4-3, 88 pages. Hard to find second-hand copies.
This little gem is a useful acquisition for every non-German speaking glass collector as it provides English explanations of all those confusing German words used by Loetz and its contemporaries - words like 'aufgetrieben', 'ausgeschliffen', 'geschnitzt' und 'umsponnen'.
16) Jugendstilglas: Sammlung Hilde Rakebrand, Dresden, Austellung im Schloss Pillnitz - Bergpalais - June-October, 1981, published by the Staatliche Kunstsammlung Dresden, 1981, 96 pages. Fairly easy to find second-hand copies.
This is the catalogue of an exhibition of the Hilde Rakebrand collection of Jugendstil glass held in Dresden, DDR. It is something for the 'completist' rather than a useful addition to a general bibliography of Loetz glass. From today's perspective, some of the attributions are unreliable. 
17) Loetz Austria: Irisierende Glaeser des Jugendstil Stucki-Villa, 1972, published by the Stuck-Jugendstil Verein, Munich. Second-hand copies occasionally appear online.
This brochure is particularly interesting for the completist because of its publication date, 15 years before the important Neuwirth books described under 6) above. However, I am including it in this section as several of the objects photographed were not made by Loetz, but by other Bohemian manufacturers. 