Welcome to The Wonderful World of Depression Glass!
What is Depression Glass? And a Brief History.
Depression Glass is a particular type of glassware, made for a particular purpose (or purposes), during the Great Depression. The Great Depression, triggered at least partly by the stock market crash of 1929, was a really tough economic time starting in the 1930s. For a variety of reasons, the Great Depression meant that there were few jobs and a lot of poverty and these conditions lasted through to the early 1940s. So, many families really struggled to support themselves and there was little money for extravagances, treats or niceties. For some, there was barely enough money for food and shelter.
Depression Glass, then, is a type of uncolored or colored translucent glass produced in the form of dinner table ware, or other useful and attractive decor items like candy dishes or candlesticks or cannisters.
The key is that the glassware was produced cheaply – partly because people had little money to buy it and partly as a way the glass companies could strive to stay in business. Not all of them made it.
Depression Glass was distributed throughout the United States and Canada during the 1930s and 1940s. It was distributed through a variety of channels, including department stores, grocery stores, five and dime stores, and through mail order catalogs.
Producing Affordable Glassware
This glassware was often mass-produced and sold at a low cost, or given away, making it accessible to many people who were struggling financially during this time. It became something beautiful that people could put on the dining table, even though times were tight.
Many different patterns of this attractive colored glassware were produced, some with delightful names! Who wouldn’t love a candy dish in the American Sweetheart pattern? Or some pink glass plates in the Royal Lace pattern?
With colors ranging from delicate pastels like pale blue and soft pink glass, through to bold, bright colors such as cobalt blue and royal ruby.
The exact origins of what could be classified as Depression Glass originally are a little unclear, as the term is now used to describe a wide variety of mass produced glassware that became popular during this period.
Elegant Glass Pieces
One story goes that some food manufacturers and distributors wanted to include an incentive with their products to boost their sales. So, pieces of this elegant glass was often used as a promotional item, given away for free with the purchase of other products (by including free gifts of a piece of the inexpensive glassware in food boxes), or sold in sets as a way to encourage consumers to buy more.
One of the leading donors of Depression Glass was the Quaker Oats Company. During the 1930s, the company included pieces of Depression Glass in boxes of oatmeal as a promotional item, as a way to encourage customers to buy more of their products. These pieces of Depression Glass were known as “oatmeal glass” and were often in the form of small plates, bowls, or cups. The company continued this promotional campaign for several years, and many pieces of Depression Glass from Quaker Oats are still in circulation today.
Movie theaters, gas stations and various other businesses also handed out a piece of this Depression Glass glassware to loyal customers upon them entering into their movie houses, gas stations or offices.
Other sources suggest it is generally believed that Depression Glass originated as a way for glass manufacturers to stay in business during the economic downturn.
It makes sense that both of these ends were met with the arrangements described!
Collecting Depression Glass
Despite its low cost and mass-produced nature, authentic Depression Glass is highly valued by collectors today for its beauty and historical significance. Being now highly sought after by collectors, Depression Glass is sold through a variety of channels, including antique stores, online marketplaces, and at glassware shows and conventions.
We are on open community of depression glass collectors and enthusiasts. Please feel free to contact us and send in photos and questions. We are a popular website and communty for all this fun within this great American glass ware!
Glass Companies
Several companies produced Depression Glass in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. They were located in various regions of the country. Some of the most well-known include:
Hocking Glass Company – Located in Lancaster, Ohio. This company produced a variety of Depression Glass patterns, including the popular “Miss America” pattern.
Federal Glass Company – Based in Columbus, Ohio. This company produced a variety of Depression Glass patterns, including “Madrid” and “Sharon” patterns.
Jeannette Glass Company – Located in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. This company produced many popular Depression Glass patterns, including “Cherry Blossom” and “Iris and Herringbone”.
Indiana Glass Company – Located in Dunkirk, Indiana. This company produced many popular Depression Glass patterns, including “Harvest”, “Sandwich”, and “Teardrop and Dot”.
Other glass companies that produced Depression Glass include Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, Hazel Atlas Glass Company, and Macbeth-Evans Glass Company (who made the American Sweetheart pattern), among others.
Depression Glass Patterns
More than 100 patterns were made by about 20 manufacturers. Some of the patterns consist of entire dinner sets.
Depression glass was manufactured in various colors. Some are crystal clear colored glass like pink, pale blue, green and amber. Colors like jadeite (opaque pale green), white (milk), ultra marine, red (royal and ruby), yellow (canary), delphite (opaque pale blue), black and amethyst monax, also exist.
Quite Unlike Fine China or Traditional Crystal
Whilst really quite elegant glass, some of which mimicked traditional crystal, keep in mind that depression glass pieces are typically of marginal quality, due to several factors.
One reason was that the glass manufacturers were focused on producing large quantities of glassware quickly and cheaply, in order to compete with other companies and stay in business during the economic strife of the Depression era.
This emphasis on fast production and cost-cutting often meant that the glassware was produced with less attention to detail and quality control. It was made to meet immediate needs and was not expected to be durable. It was unlikely to have been made with future collectors in mind!
Another factor that contributed to the marginal quality of Depression Glass was the use of new and innovative manufacturing techniques, such as machine-pressed glass and automated glass cutting. While these techniques allowed manufacturers to produce large quantities of glassware quickly, they also resulted in glassware that had molding flaws and noticeable seams, because the techniques were yet to be refined, improved and perfected.
Loved by Many Collectors
Nevertheless, it has been a highly collectible since the 1960s. Some rare pieces of these depression glasses may sell for hundreds of dollars. Even after the Great Depression, some manufacturers continued to manufacture popular patterns until after World War II, and they also introduced similar patterns.
If Depression Glass was to be produced today, it would likely not be acceptable in the market due to a range of flaws associated with it. However those flaws are the very characteristics used by collectors today to identify original glass wares that were produced in the depression era – and to distinguish them from reproductions.
Depression Glass Societies and Associations
There are many Depression Glass collector associations and clubs in existence today. These organizations provide opportunities for collectors to share their knowledge, learn about new patterns and pieces, and connect with other enthusiasts who share their passion for Depression Glass.
Some well-known Depression Glass collector associations and clubs include:
National Depression Glass Association (NDGA) – (https://ndga.net/) Founded in 1974, the NDGA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and study of Depression Glass. It hosts an annual convention and offers educational resources and publications to its members.
Michigan Depression Glass Society – (https://www.michigandepressionglass.com/) This club is dedicated to the study and collection of Depression Glass and other vintage glassware. It hosts monthly meetings, educational programs, and glass shows throughout the year.
Heart of America Glass Collectors – (https://www.hoacga.com/) This club is based in the Kansas City area. It is dedicated to the study and collection of vintage glassware, including Depression Glass. It hosts monthly meetings, glass shows, and educational programs for its members.
Latest Depression Glass Blog Posts
- Anchor Hocking Glass Company – A Story of Survival - In 1905, the beginnings of Anchor Hocking Glass Company occurred near the Hocking River. The company, then named Hocking Glass Company, was based in Ohio, and would later become a part of several acquisitions and mergers that would lead it to modern day success. While entire pages could be written about these mergers alone, the […]
- Indiana Glass Company – Memories and Popular Patterns - The early history of the companies and operations which became the Indiana Glass Company are confusing, convoluted and not terribly well documented! Indiana Glass Company of Dunkirk IN, originally a part of Beatty-Brady Glass Company which was founded by James Beaty and George Brady in 1895, is known for some of its unique products and […]
- Jeanette Glass – A Comprehensive History and Patterns Listing - The Jeanette Glass Company, like most companies who survived the Great Depression, has quite an interesting history. The company began in 1887, in the town of Pennsylvania that shares the company’s name, as a simple bottle company. The company produced handmade bottles under the business name “Jeanette Bottle Works Company.” Two years later, they took […]
- What is Carnival Glass and how does it differ from Depression Glass? - Perhaps you’ve just wandered into an estate sale and spotted what you believe to be the most beautiful antique carnival glass you’ve ever seen. How can you be sure it’s genuine? What if it’s depression glass? How can you tell if it’s either, so you know what you’re buying? At first glance, you might make […]
- Milk Glass – What is It? - Most collectible pieces of milk glass date back to the 1700’s or newer. Did you know, however, that it didn’t receive the popular name until much later, even though its making dates back to 1500’s Venice? Though some people associate milk glass with depression glass, the two are very different, with simply an overlap during […]