Depression Glass

[thebadmamajama]

So my friend (this so sounds like an embarrassing hypothetical situation, but it actually IS my friend) is going to be engaged soon-ish, and she really wants to pick out a color/style of depression glass and run with it. Unfortunately, neither she nor I know ANYTHING about it. I have some of my grandmother's but that's about all I know.

I'll take whatever info, advice, etc. that you might have, and thank you! You're the only ladies I trust with the good stuff.

 

[NicolettaRose]

Hey there, I know a ton about depression glass. There are many, many patterns of depression glass, so it is really up to the individual's tastes.Depression glass, is what it sounds like. It was cheap glass that was made during the depression. People would win items at carnivals, and as well as get items if they bought a bag of flour at the groccers. Depression glass was cheaply made, and often has irregularies in it, yet it holds up extreamly well ( I have some depression glass tumblers that I have dropped on the floor and they don't break!)

There were a couple major companies who produced Depression Glass, a big one is called Hazel Atlas, which made some of my favorite patterns. There are a couple of other famous ones. There are typical colors the glass comes in Green ( dark, and an almost floresent one, if you hold it up to a black light it has an eerie glow) pink, clear, amber, red and cobalt, and even black.

Depression glass is collectible, but is also very common, and still can be found in thirft stores, and in abundance in certain antique stores. Certain pieces ( like tumblers) can run you a little more money if they are rare.

I personally use a set called Moderntone. It was made by the Hazel Atlas company in the mid thirties and early forties My set is cobalt blue, but it also comes in purple and some pastel colors. Moderntone is a little bit different in that it does not have the etchings that most Depression glass has.

Here is a picture: http://www.cyberattic.com/stores/teachermalloy/items/447594/catphoto.jpg

I also throw in some other pieces from other lines, but pretty much I like to just stay with my Moderntone. I was lucky to find these pieces in an antique store, but the best place to find moderntone or any depression glass of all the same pattern is Ebay.

For other vintage dishware/glassware, you might want to check out some other things being produced at this time. If you are looking for some mixing bowls, you might want to check out Bauer, an early California pottery company, and Homer Laughlin, who made the ever classic Fiestaware. I have a great collection of both. There is also a great early glass called Jadite, produced by the Mckee and Jeanette and later by Fireking. It's milky green glassware that comes in all forms from great mugs to dishes to salt and pepper shakers.

You might also want to check out vintage linens, a vintage table always looks wonderful with a floral table cloth from the 1930's.

And for nicer occassions, there also vintage "elegant glassware" made in the same period by such companies as Fostoria and Heisey.

For great 1930's/1940 chrome items, check out a company called Chase Copper and Brass Co, they make the most beautiful art deco chrome bar/kitchen/houseware.

And then of coarse, get yourself a nice set of bakelite handled silverware.

Remember,when looking for Depression glass, if it is smooth and perfect, chances are, it's not authentic. The real stuff sometimes is a bit lopsided and has impecfections, but very usable and very colletible.

To see a wide selection of depression glass, I would visit an Antique store, and also visit your local bookstore to get a Depression glass guide with pictures.

 

[PrettySquareGal]

Fenton

My favorite depression art glass is Fenton opalescent hobnail. Blue and cranberry are gorgeous but pricey.

 

[Viviene]

If you want to see some beautiful depression glass check out this site:

http://www.mainstreetmallonline.com/pottery/store.php?ref=1

It's Christine's Glass and china. She has ooodles of depression glass and is a personal friend of mine. She really knows her glassware. I love depression glass and I tend to collect solitary pieces that speak to me. Good luck on your hunt and if you talk to Christine tell her that Viviene sent you.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Housekeeping note: Thread moved from Powder Room to Golden Era as collecting depression glass is not an exclusively feminine persuit.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

See if your library has or can get you books about depression glass by Gene Florence. The price and identification guide was the book I reached most for when I ran an antique shop. Every pattern and style is in there. Have fun.

 

[thebadmamajama]

This is so exciting! You've helped more abundantly than you know! So much for my friend, now I want it!

 

[mysterygal]

Depression glass is truly a great thing to collect. I have only a few plates so far, but I've always thought the look was absolutely beautiful. My grandmother has TONS of dishes of varying colors, the one's she gave to me are a clear green color. I've seen these around at estate sales, the local newspaper is a great way to find out if there are any in your neighborhood.
Good luck on your search!

 

[pigeon toe]

Eek! I wish I had never seen this thread, now I have one more thing I want to collect, with no rom to store it! I love the Depression Glass vanity sets. I would love to get my hands on those.

For those of you that collect it, which color(s) do you prefer? I can't decide out of pink, green and blue which I like the best!

 

[Viola]

My sister picks up anything that looks pretty (I do pretty much the same thing) and she has some black and amber glass pieces she found in a thrift store.

Is there a good way to figure out if its Depression-era or just Depression-inspired? For three dollars its okay either way, I just wondered.

-Viola

 

[pigeon toe]

Well thanks to the influence of you ladies, I just bought my first piece of Depression Glass on Ebay. Can any of you tell me anything about it?

It's a Jeannette Glass powder jar. I wanted to get some plates or something, but my teeny tiny kitchen is already jam packed with plates, cups, etc. So vanity items will have to do for now!

 

[dr greg]

geiger counter

The most common DG in this country is green, and I've been told that the colour was achieved by adding uranium oxide, wonder if it irradiates the fruit on the sideboard?

 

[Viola]

The most common DG in this country is green, and I've been told that the colour was achieved by adding uranium oxide, wonder if it irradiates the fruit on the sideboard?

If I keep it next to the original red Fiestaware, am I going to get a midnight visit from Homeland Security?

-Viola