Colored glassware of the Depression era was produced during the late 1920s and into the 1930s; some authors and researchers extend the timeframe even longer, at least into the 1940s. It was made by many glass companies over an extended period of time and included a never-ending array of shapes, sizes and colors.
Glass manufacturers, who had long stayed in the black thanks to expensive cut crystal glass that they peddled to the affluent, could no longer count on such sales.
What color of Depression Glass is rare? Pink and crystal (clear) are two of the rarest colors of Depression glass.
Depression glass is glassware made in the period 1929–1939, often clear or colored translucent machine-made glassware that was distributed free, or at low cost, in the United States and Canada around the time of the Great Depression.
Determining Depression Glass Value. The value of Depression glass has been rising steadily in recent years, yet the cost is still quite reasonable. A cake plate could sell for as little as $13, a sugar bowl for $7, and an attractive footed tumbler for $25.
We do know from lead crystal that minerals can leach out of glass into food and then into bodies when the food is eaten. Myself, I wouldn't eat off depression glass, but wouldn't have a problem keeping it to enjoy it's beauty.
Pink and red (cranberry) glass is typically the most valuable and was made using gold oxide, while blue (made using cobalt salts), green (uranium), and yellow or amber (sulphur) tend to command lower prices.
While they are both colored glass, carnival is differentiated by its signature iridized glaze and multicolored appearance, while Depression glass has a more transparent and monochromatic look.
Vaseline glass, like the candlestick holder shown here, is a term for the transparent yellow to yellow-green glass that owes its color to its uranium content.
Markings on glassware can help affect their value! Typically, glassware with pontil marks is considered more valuable because they are older and handmade. Scarcity is another factor that will affect the value of your antique glass. Bottles that are rare are going to yield a higher profit due to their low availability.
As mentioned, imperfections in the glassware due to daily use during the era that the glassware was originally produced do not necessarily affect value, or if they do, it is very small.
You will see seams on depression glass. Because of the fast production, the glass would slip in the mold causing noticeable seams. According to Invaluable, the flaws tend to be cherished by collectors today and do not negatively effect the value of the pieces.
The level of radioactivity varies by piece, ranging from less than 1 percent to up to 25 percent by weight, but there is no recognized danger to handling or using uranium glass, according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The term depression was derived from the Latin verb deprimere, "to press down". From the 14th century, "to depress" meant to subjugate or to bring down in spirits.
Most Depression glass was made with uranium, but it also contained iron oxide, which makes the glass much greener than Vaseline glass. Depression glass is often less valuable than Vaseline glass, so collectors have to be careful to not confuse the two.
In summary, our favorite luxury wine glassware brands include Baccarat, Lalique, Waterford Crystal, Schott Zwiesel, Zalto, Riedel, Orrefors, Moser, Saint-Louis, and Steuben.
No, the Indiana Glass Company has been defunct since 2002. The last plant closed in 2008. Throughout the company's century of business, they became renowned by glass collectors and continue to be sought after today.
Tin and iron chloride are the most common.” Howard went on to explain that some early iridescent Art Glass, such as Tiffany and Steuben, would often have had a lead content. Of course, glass containing lead is not considered safe for food-related use. Carnival Glass does not contain lead.
The best practice when approaching vintage glassware is to steer clear from using it on a daily basis, and don't store things in it for a long period of time, Dr. Kosnett recommends.
It fell out of style over the decades, but now, mercury glass has made yet another comeback, especially among antique enthusiasts. Today's version isn't made with mercury or silver. Instead, a silvering formula applied between double-walled glass creates a dull mirror finish.
Glass that contains manganese glows red, orange, or peach and even green under a UV black light. Selenium Glass - The process of de-colourisation and colourising glass was greatly used and Selenium was another mineral that was also used in order to achieve vibrant colours.
Depression Glass has been reproduced since it first became popular back in the 1970's. Here's a list of known reproductions and how to spot them. On the repro, they point off center (northeast, etc) Very poor mold on both top and bottom.