In 1843, WILLIAM BAKER bought the Baltimore Window-Glass Works - the oldest Glass Works in the United States with an outstanding reputation for superior quality.
1845, HENRY J. and CHARLES J. BAKER, sons of WILLIAM BAKER, became connected with these works and in 1850 were enlisted by their father to obtain sources for glass produced in Europe. Henry J. Baker obtained sourcing for the glass trade but could not return to import glass via the port of Baltimore in competition with his family's firm. These circumstances led to the establishment of H. J. Baker & Bro. in New York as purveyors of Fine French Glass.
