Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Glass
The history of Depression Glass is actually quite fascinating and it is a true testimony to its appeal that decades later it is still in high demand. These colorful glass items were made to be cheap, they had to be in order to sell them during this time period. If you are not familiar with Depression Glass, here is a brief guide to help you spot these rare treasures.
First, Depression Glass is quite heavy and although it was considered to be cheap glass, these items were made to last. They became popular following the market crash of 1929, when the United States was in the throes of the Great Depression. During this time period fortunes were lost and many families found themselves on the brink of financial ruin.
At this point, many people could not afford to purchase the niceties of life and it was a struggle just to get the things that they needed. In order to be able to continue selling products, many companies began developing cheap glassware, which would later be known as Depression Glass. These glass items were made out of the cheapest glass possible and the molds that were used were often imperfect.
However, these imperfections are now considered to be desirable. Since costs were kept extremely low during the manufacturing process, the vast majority of Depression Glass does not have a maker’s mark and generally there are no identifying marks whatsoever. The pieces are characterized by their heavy weight and the interesting but simple patterns that are featured on them.
Another characteristic of Depression Glass is that the pieces were generally made to be very colorful. You can find virtually every color in the rainbow, from blue, to yellow, red, green and even purple. These colors were vibrant and happy and reminded people of better times. In fact, many items made during this time period reflect the overall mood of the country and the grasping of small things like something colorful to keep hope alive.
Today, Depression Glass is extremely popular. It is rare to find a full set, but most collectors try to accumulate as many pieces in one color as they can. You can frequently find Depression Glass at local flea markets, at auction or online. However, it is important to make sure that you are getting authentic glass.
Remember, the piece should be slightly imperfect, there should be no insignia on the glass and the colors should be a bit faded due to age. If you find Depression Glass that is overly vibrant, very well made or carries an insignia of the manufacturer, there is a high probability that the piece may not be authentic.
Collecting Depression Glass is a great way to commemorate this troubled time in the history of the United States where little things like happy colors on glassware helped the populace through those dark days. Many pieces are actually worth a small fortune, so keep your eye out for a great deal. You never know what you may find.
Originally posted 2008-08-18 05:00:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Where and How to Buy Antique Furniture Unless you are shopping around in a museum, it may be difficult to buy antique furniture dated before the 16th century. Collectors are generally only able to obtain pieces of furniture from the 1485 to 1600 Tudor Period and onwards, and even the furniture selection from this period is relatively...... -
Patchwork Quilts Antiques -> Textiles, Linens -> Quilts, Bedspreads ->Patchwork -> Patchwork quilts are an Americana staple, and these items are also highly collectible. While they are most commonly associated with the pioneer times and early formation of the United States, many cultures produce patchwork quilts and many of them are extremely...... -
Finding Antiques and Collectibles If you are interested in the art of antiquing, then you should know that there are antiques and collectibles that you can find in all shapes, all sizes and all kinds of locations. All of these antiques and collectibles have history, a past, a story to them. People can find...... -
Antique Dishes Dealers -> Glass -> Plates Collecting antique dishes can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it’s probably not going to be an easy one! Because of the wide variety of dishes available from so many sources, you’ll probably have to brush up on your knowledge of dishes and dinnerware....... - Antique Goblet Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Stemware How do you tell an antique goblet from an antique cup or mug? Goblets are stemware, with the earliest goblets made from earthenware and then expanding to other stronger materials as the years passed. The use of goblets pre-dates the Roman Empire, though the......
Related Websites - "U.S. Consumers Show Strength" The title of the post is in reference to the June, 2005, 0.8% increase in consumer spending stated in a government report. The Reuters article cites a cause of the increase as consumers taking advantage of auto deals. It also states that incomes rose only 0.5% during the same period.......
-
Bakelite Collectibles -> Vintage-Retro-Mid-Century -> Bakelite Most of us have heard the term Bakelite, even if we’re not entirely sure what it means. When we think of Bakelite we often think of plastic, as they seem to go hand in hand. But Bakelite is a type of plastic, most often used...... -
Quick Tips for Less Expensive Fireworks Happy Independence Day! I hope your 4th of July celebrations are fun-filled and safe for all of your family and friends! It is a holiday of celebration. We have the day off to enjoy a summer day with family, friends, and a good old-fashioned cookout. All of the day's festivities...... -
Types of Sports Memorabilia Items to Buy There are a number of different forms that sports memorabilia items can take, including both modern memorabilia and vintage memorabilia. Some of the sports memorabilia items that you can purchase and add to your collection include: - Autographed sports memorabilia items, including balls, gloves, bats, cards and anything else that...... -
Morgan Silver Dollar Coin Collecting -> US Coins -> Dollar Coins -> Morgan (1878-1921): 1878-1921, 1885-93, 1894-98, 1899-1904, 1921 The Morgan Silver Dollar is considered by many to be one of the most valuable US coins that you can collect. It’s history ranges from 1878 to 1904, and during its run, it was......
