Glass: Depression Glass
Depression glass was mass-produced glassware (plates, bowls, glasses, etc) made from the late 1920s to the 1940s in many colors and with many different patterns. They were originally produced as inducements to buy other products and they were sold in 5 and dime stores. There were not particularly high quality glassware.

Glassware

What to Look For:

Pleasing colors and patterns - this is fashion dictated at times and always subjective. Dealers develop a sense for what colors of each pattern are popular at a given point in time. Books like those listed below provide color photos of the patterns.

Quality Manufacturers - Imperial Lancaster, Jeannette Glass Co, Heisey (marked with an H in a diamond), and Cambridge (marked with a C in a triangle).

Rare pieces in a pattern - for example, there are believed to be only 8 or 10 cookie jars left in existence for the Cherry Blossom pattern. They are valued at $3000 each.

Complete settings - these are worth only slightly more than individual pieces.

Glass in mint condition - no chips, scratches, cracks or poor molding (glassware is worth MUCH less if it is below mint condition).

What to Avoid:

Reproductions - these are newly made copies of old designs, either made by the original company or by someone new. Gene Florence, in his books on Depression Glass, gives excellent tips about and shows pictures of reproductions to help you spot them.

Deals that are too good to be true - they usually are.

References:

The Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass 1994 Collector's Books

Interview with Marlys Sellers of Chuck's Antiques, 30515 Forest Blvd., Stacy, MN. August, 1994.

Pocket Guide to Depression Glass by Gene Florence, 1994. Collector's Books


Visit Us at Antiques Oronoco
HWY 52, Oronoco, Minnesota
6 minutes north of Rochester

Open Wednesday through Saturday 10am to 5 pm. Sundays 12pm-4pm.

They do go on buying trips so call first if it is the last 4 days of the month or during the months of January or February.
507-367-2220