With a name like Depression glass, it’s surprising that it is one of my happy things…you know, things that just make you smirk! It might be the memories of countless hours spent with my mom and sister in antique stores, or the pride of continuing my grandmother’s collection, or even the thrill of the hunt—whatever it is, I love collecting Depression glass.
What Is Depression Glass?
Many of you are probably wondering what Depression glass is. Depression glass is a type of dinnerware that was mass produced in the 1920’s and 1930’s. It often came with food, especially from the Quaker Oats Company. Remember how your mom got those glass animals with her Lipton Tea when you were a kid? Same idea. It even was given out at movie theaters and other businesses! It came in lots of great colors: green, red, black, amethyst, blue, yellow, clear, and pink (which is what I collect). The dinnerware ranged from tea cups and saucers to pitchers, salt shakers, cake plates, and everything in between. It also comes in lots of different patterns: Cherry Blossom, Dogwood, Princess (shown below), and Sunflower, just to name a few.
Why Collect It?
Like I mentioned earlier, I don’t understand why I love to collect it—I just do! I think it’s important to preserve this piece of history, and I think there is something beautiful and timeless about it. I also love that I get to be a part of something that my grandmother started. She’s been collecting for lots of years, and now it’s my turn to continue that collection. Plus, it’s so much fun to be on the hunt, especially when your friends and family can join in the hunt with you!
If that’s not enough for you, I’d venture to say that it might be a good (and fun) investment. Steven and I found a Depression glass candy dish the other day for $25 at a little hole-in-the-wall art store. I excitedly went home and looked up what other people are selling it for and discovered that it’s going for $125 online! It might not be a huge profit someday, but it’s more valuable than buying something new off the shelf.
How Do I Know That It’s Real Depression Glass?
Companies started making reproductions in the 1960’s. The reproductions are very convincing, but there are a couple of ways to sniff out impostors. There’s nothing like inspecting a piece of glass that says “Depression glass” on it, putting it down, and whispering it’s a fake to your shopping buddy. I feel like a pro every time. So, here’s a few tips that will help you tell the difference between the real and the not-so-real:
1. Look for flaws. Yep, that’s right, you want the pieces that aren’t perfect. There are 3(ish) tell-tale signs that your depression glass is real:
Bonus points if you find scratches! Depression glass was used for everyday tasks and was prone to scratching, so scratches are likely due to the delicate nature of real Depression glass.
2. Check the thickness. Reproduction glass is very thick compared to the original. Though the originals vary from piece to piece, if the glass feels thick, it’s likely not real.
3. Learn the patterns. The new versions of the old patterns are fairly convincing, but there are some great resources, like realorrepro.com, that cover each and every difference.
How Do I Start?
I hope I’m inspiring you to start collecting! I’d love to get you started with some tips!
- Find a color that you love!
- Find 1–3 patterns that you adore. I found a great website that shows you all of the patterns manufactured. Click here to check it out.
- Learn your stuff. There are real and fake pieces, as I just mentioned. Make sure you know what you’re looking for! This makes the treasure hunt all the more fun!
- Get out there! I’ve found that the best places to shop are where they don’t know what they have. As I mentioned before, my most recent addition came from a random art/frame store…the seller had no idea what treasure he had (or what he could have charged)! Flea markets are another gold mine!
I hope you have enjoyed hearing about this passion of mine! I also hope that you’ll join me in collecting what makes you happy. I’d love to hear about what you love to collect in the comments below or leave me a picture on my Facebook page.
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Thank you to Live To Love Photography for the gorgeous images of your Depression glass collection!
I have a set of pink depression glass. My father collected it while courting my mother. We are down sizing and want to get rid of it. Can you tell me what it may pe worth? There are 51 pieces of cabbage Sharon rose . 8 plates, 8cups&sausers, desert boles Herbert cups and saucers. Sugar bowl creamer veg plate and meat plater.
Hi Gary,
That sounds like a beautiful collection! Prices vary, especially depending on your location, the condition of the pieces, and the authenticity of the set. A good place to look is replacements.com, that should give you a basic idea of what you might get. An appraisal would give you an actual value on the set. I would suggest having it appraised before taking it to a dealer.
How do you find a legitimate appraiser?
Hi Rhonda,
I would try to find someone through an official site, like the International Society of Appraisers. You can search for accredited members on their site: https://www.isa-appraisers.org/find-an-appraiser
I hope that helps!
I have a white (milk) glass rolling pin that has a seam running down the two sides of the roller. There are no bubbles that I can see in the glass, except for some tiny blurbs and pitting on the surface, which can be from repeated use. I see some of the straw lines you mentioned. The handles have some patina and are metal (not sure what kind of metal but it is, but it’s non-conductive…aluminum?). The handles unscrew so that cold water or ice can be added. I have searched and searched for one just like this, but can’t find a match. Most antique white glass rolling pins have wood handles. Have you come across white depression glass rolling pins with metal handles? This one has all the characteristics of depression glass but I don’t want to assume that it is, mostly b/c I have not found another one like it. thanks for your help
Hi Catbee,
I haven’t ever seen anything like what you’re describing! That sounds beautiful though. Good luck on your treasure hunt!
I have a large pink vase no design just frosted around the neck
the whole vase is 15″ darker clear pink rounded bottom very little flare at top almost like an hour glass cant find anything about it any where thought it may be a Fenton but not sure can you help me figure it out and if it is a valuable piece or not It was my husbands grandmothers who passed away she is related to king Edwards and to my surprise it states that on her death and birth certificate she has had the dishes since the 30’s I think maybe longer she was born in 1910 so it could have been even in the 20’s they first lived in Detroit before they came to california
Hi Alice,
It sounds like a beautiful piece you have! Unfortunately, I am not very well versed in much other than Depression Glass. It doesn’t sound like depression glass to me because of the frosting and lack of design. But I would suggest having it appraised, since I’m certainly no expert. I’d love to hear what you come up with!
I have recently received several light blue plates and a bowl with all of the classic examples of depression glass except the stray marks underneath . Do you know of a website were I could search for patterns to find out more about them?
Hi there! I love to use http://kejabatreasures.com/kejaba-depressionglass.php to look at patterns and learn more. Have fun searching!
I have a set of 6 glasses and jug as well as a cake plate and fruit bowl they were my Moms she was sure they are the real thing is there away for me to tell and How do I find out the value of the said set
Hi Loretta,
Those sound like really interesting pieces! You can read the post above to see how to tell if it’s the real thing. As far as value is concerned, I’d suggest having it appraised to be sure. You can get an idea of value on sites like replacements.com for perfect condition pieces, although it’s just a ballpark idea of what your piece would be worth at the most. Like I said, getting it appraised is the only sure-fire way to get the value.
Thanks for your question and good luck!
I have the complete set of harp depression glass cake set of 22 pieces of the cake. set I have had fun collecting it and feel excited when I come across a piece. I love collecting it and it gives me great joy.
Hello Rachael .
I just purchased a set of pink Madrid 4 piece pl. setting, cereal bowls included with 3 serving bowls. They were bought here in San Angelo, Texas in west Texas from a youngish Hispanic woman. (I also bought several blue pieces, not cobalt but not light blue.) As a longtime antique dealer, furniture and china, I know somethings about glass bottles and how to Authentic them, but no nothing about depression glass. The pink is Madrid, I found out, and has raised seam lines. Even though collectors stating “if no sign of use, must be a reproduction”, I know many families out here get wedding gifts and never use them “saving them for best”.The pink set is in an OLD dusty box, and coregated cardboard between the dinner plates. They have been sitting there a long time. The bowls and serving bowls were wrapped in paper and carefully packed. All in a hinged brown cardboard box. Except 4 light pink with no pattern on them. The bottoms are inset(?) and they flair slightly at the rim. No maker’s mark but they appear handblown(?) with a sort of uneven swirl on bottoms. I had to pack the blue pieces so put these pink glasses with the blue. The blue is not cobalt, I don’t believe as not that dark, but not light blue. There are 3 mold lines on the footed compote/candy with a obelisk finial lid. I am not sure if the lid matches? Blue but not the same….and the lid has a slightly different pattern. The blue is an offset diamond and the lid has large long indentions in the top with inset sideways design all around. Large Obelisk 8 sided finial. Different widths between the 8 sides.
That’s great! It sounds authentic because of the swirly lines on the bottom. They used to cool them on straw, which would often leave marks in the bottom of the glass. It sounds like you made a great find!
I’m wondering what pattern the pink candy dish in your pictures is?
Thanks for your question, Christine. This pattern is called Adam. I stumbled upon it randomly in a jewelry store once. It’s really difficult to find, but it’s my favorite pattern!
Can you eat off of the deprsson glass? I have many Petalware dishes and love them as they are light weight.
How do I find out if they have any lead or other chemiclas in them? If they are scratched are the chemiclas more likely to leach into your food?
thanks, Lorraine Conary ldconary@gmail.com
Thanks for your question! Unfortunately, I don’t have a clear answer for you. My general rule is when in doubt, err on the side of caution.
While there’s not likely any lead in Depression Glass, it may be true that there is a small of uranium or arsenic in the glass. It’s likely so small of an amount that it’s not a problem, but there’s no clear research or answers currently.
Thanks for your question!
Hi Rachel
I was given various lives of depression glass and have been slowly identifying the patterns. One of them is the exact pattern you have pictured above on the gold plate under “learn the patterns” and the next one “how do i start?” Of course I can’t find the name of it. Do you know it? I would appreciate it.
Have a good day
Jackie
Hi Jackie, I believe the one you’re talking about is called Florentine. The best place to research patterns (that I’ve found) is found here: http://www.kejabatreasures.com/kejaba-depressionglass.php
Happy treasure hunting!
Nice column, excellent advice and information. My wife Mary has been collecting this depression glass for 30+ years, she likes the cobalt blue – dark blue – kitchen ware and the colored ring patterns from Hocking. I think the blue sherbet shown in the metal holder is Royal Lace pattern. The adam candy dish was a great deal – so often the lids to Depression Glass pcs are missing.
Thanks Brian!
Can I put hot food in my depression glass ?
Hi Anna, great question!
I can say that I personally don’t serve anything on my depression glass (unless it’s a special event or something) because I’m a collector and want to keep it in good condition. That said, these dishes were made for everyday use. If you want to serve with yours, then go for it! The only rules are to keep it out of the microwave, oven, or freezer. It won’t do well with sudden temperature changes.
My Mom inherited her Grandmother and Mother’s Depression Glass, and then went on to hunt down more pieces. She has recently passed it on to me, and I have it proudly displayed on open white shelves in my kitchen. One shelf is all pink, one is all yellow, and one is all green (and I discovered yesterday ever single green piece glows under a black light!). Each color has a variety of patterns mixed in. I love adding new pieces or replacing chipped ones with ones that look new. My next step is to build up my blue collection (I have 1 dinner plate, lol). Thank you for the article and info here. It makes it so much more fun hunting down these beautiful pieces of I can know for sure if it’s real or fake!
That is wonderful! It’s such a fun treasure hunt. I love your idea of separate shelves for each color—I’d love to branch out from pink and that might be just the way I display it too. Thanks for your comment and happy treasure hunting.
I have a large collection of the green dancing ballerina…this has helped me as I often wonder when I find a piece ..is it real or fake.
Awesome! I’m so glad to hear it!
I have a question. I have a large set of Amber Madrid by Federal Glass. I am considering using it as everyday dinnerware can you tell me if it is safe to use everyday, put it in the dish washer, etc? I am concerned about any harmful chemicals leeching out.I look forward to your response.
Hi Sandy,
Great question! There isn’t an official way to answer this question without having the pieces tested. I personally, would err on the side of caution and not eat off it, because we don’t know exactly what is in it. I know there are a few articles about this that you can find on a Google search though. I’d suggest you look into it a little further and decide how you feel about it.
I’ve been collecting pink depression glass for forty plus years! My favorite pattern is Cherry Blossom! Awesome article!
Thanks so much Lou, it’s such a fun treasure hunt!
Hi Rachel: I collect Fostoria American depression glass. My husband’s grandmother used to receive a piece from her children for every holiday and special occasion. When she passed, she left 3 to 4 pieces for each grandchild. That started our personal collection which has grown to several hundred pieces. I love the pattern because it looks like a quilt pattern called “Tumbling Blocks.”
That is so sweet! Thank you for sharing!
Hello Rachel, I would like to buy a pink depression glass refrigerator dish box that is ribbed and has a rabbit on top. Also saw a clear glass one that has a cow on top. Did depression glass have animals on top of refrigerator dishes boxes? Thank you!
As far as I know, true depression glass didn’t have animals on top. I have something similar with a fawn on top, but it’s not depression glass. Does it have any of the other signs mentioned in my blog post of depression glass?