Depression glass is clear or colored translucent glassware that was distributed free, or at low cost, in the United States around the time of the Great Depression. The Quaker Oats Company, and other food manufacturers and distributors, put a piece of glassware in boxes of food, as an incentive to purchase. Movie theaters and businesses would hand out a piece simply for coming in the door.
Most of this glassware was made in the central and mid-west United States, where access to raw materials and power made manufacturing inexpensive in the first half of the twentieth century. More than twenty manufacturers made more than 100 patterns, and entire dinner sets were made in some patterns. Common colors are clear, (crystal); pink, pale blue, green, and amber. Less common colors include yellow (canary), ultra marine, jadeite (opaque pale green), delphite (opaque pale blue), cobalt blue, red (ruby & royal ruby), black, amethyst, monax, and white (milk glass).
Although of marginal quality, Depression glass has been highly collectible since the 1960s. Due to its popularity as a collectible, Depression glass is becoming more scarce on the open market. Scarce pieces may sell for several hundred dollars. Some manufacturers continued to make popular patterns after World War II, or introduced similar patterns, which are also collectible. Popular and expensive patterns and pieces have been reproduced, and reproductions are still being made.
Depression Glass Manufacturers and patterns
Elegant glass
Often confused with Depression Glass is Elegant glass, of much better quality, and sometimes referred to as Elegant glass , was distributed through jewelery and department stores. From the 1920s through the 1950s, it was an alternative to fine china. Most of the Elegant glassware manufacturers had closed by the end of the 1950s, and cheap glassware and imported china replaced Elegant glass.
Some Elegant glass manufacturers were:
- Cambridge Glass Company
- Duncan Miller Glass Company
- Fenton Art Glass Company
- Fostoria Glass Company
- Heisey Glass Company
- Imperial Glass Company
- New Martinsville Glass Company
- Paden City Glass Company
- Tiffin Glass Company
See also
- Carnival glass
- Elegant Glass
- Milk glass
- Pressed glass
- Satin glass
- Hazel-Atlas Glass Company
- Vaseline glass
External links
Depression Glass Identification:
- Depression Glass Identification by SuzieMax
- Depression Glass Identification by Kejaba Treasures
- Depression Glass Patterns
- Maker Marks by David Doty's Carnival Glass Website
- Many Indiana Glass Patterns by Carnival Heaven
- Glass Company Histories, Glass Patterns /Colors/ Definitions
The following sites offer some content under membership other materials are free:
- National Depression Glass Association
- National Westmoreland Glass Collectors Club
The following sites require a membership to view a majority of the content:
Royal Lace An Antique Depression Era Saucer by ...
A beautiful blue ANTIQUE DEPRESSION GLASS saucer in the popular “ROYAL LACE” pattern is the focal point of this hand-crafted CHIME. The delicate
Royal Lace Depression Glass Price List
Royal Lace Depression Glass for sale. ... = excellent condition with no chips or cracks unless otherwise noted = very good condition with minor chips or scratches that do not detract ...
Royal Lace Depression Glass Pattern | Just Glass Online
Royal Lace is easily recognized since this well regarded Depression Glass pattern really does look like lace. Produced by the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, 28 Royal Lace pieces were ...
Depression Glass Pattern Finder - Royal Lace
Depression Glass Royal Lace Pattern | Depression glass identification
National Depression Glass Association - Hazel Atlas ...
Hazel Atlas' Royal Lace by Rosemary Trietsch. Two words: Royal Lace. Of all the patterns of Depression glass that were ever produced, Royal Lace has captured (and broken) more ...
Value for Royal Lace Green Depression Glass Creamer ...
Depression Glass Price Guide: Royal Lace Green Depression Glass Creamer
Depression Glass Pattern and Identification Guide Royal Lace ...
A guide to help you identify Depression glass patterns - Royal Lace.
PINK DEPRESSION GLASS TUMBLERS ROYAL LACE PATTERN SET 6 ...
Set Of 6 Pink Depression Glass Tumblers Royal Lace Pattern Hazel Atlas Glass Company Beautiful Delicate Lace Pattern They are in very ...
Sunflower Auction - THREE-DAY ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE AUCTION
Depression Glass Blue Royal Lace 6 Cups 5 Saucers Maker: Hazel Atlas Pattern: Royal Lace Color: Blue... 100-200
Royal Lace Depression Glass Pink Rolled Candleholder ...
This pink rolled edge Royal Lace candleholder is in excellent condition. Hazel-Atlas Glass Company made Royal Lace from 1934-1941. Please browse my catalog for more depression ...