A Collector's Guide to Depression Glass

Depression glass, a type of colorful or clear glassware, was mass-produced in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. Known for its vibrant history and significant role during a challenging economic time, this glassware remains a collector's favorite due to its innovative production and timeless charm. While these Depression-era items may have imperfections, their value and appeal endure a century later. Discover the history, authenticity, and value of these treasured pieces, along with collecting tips from experts.

The History of Depression Glass

When the Great Depression plummeted the country's economic market, costly glassware fell out of favor among consumers. "Much of the glassware made by glassmaking firms prior to the stock market crash was considered a luxury item because it was expensive and labor-intensive—glassware was often hand-blown, as well as cut, carved, and/or decorated by hand, and these processes contributed to their higher prices," says Amy J. Hughes, PhD, assistant curator at the Corning Museum of Glass. "These very characteristics that made glassware an expensive, luxury item made it unattainable to many families during the 1930s."

To reach consumers who sought the look of opulent place settings for a fraction of the cost, glassmaking companies ramped up their production of pressed glass items—a 19th-century technology that became increasingly prevalent from the 1920s to the 1940s. "Many glassmaking companies pivoted to producing much cheaper, molded glassware by utilizing machine-pressed and automated glass cutting machines that could produce patterned glass faster, cheaper and in high quantities," says Hughes.

Manufacturers mass-produced these pieces with a clear goal—fast and cheap—which meant that imperfections were common: bubbles, molding flaws, and inconsistent coloring. "These items had very little—or no—finishing processes done by hand, such as grinding the bottoms of dishes to make them lay flat on a surface, or fire polishing items to remove the mold marks—items were considered finished once they were out of the molds," says Hughes.

Types and Manufacturers of Depression Glass

Many of the biggest names in American glassmaking turned their efforts toward items made from Depression glass, says Hughes: Hocking Glass Company, Indiana Glass Company, Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, and Federal Glass Company are only a few of the brands who churned out sets of matching plates, bowls, pitchers, platters, and glassware. Combined, manufacturers designed more than 100 different patterns during the time period.

During the 1930s and 1940s, customers could find the glassware nearly anywhere, from department stores to dime stores and from catalogs to grocery store promotions. "A piece of glass from a particular set would be included as a free gift when buying a food product," says Hughes. "The hope was that receiving a piece of glassware would incentivize the customer to repeat purchases of the food item in order to add to the set." Gas stations, movie theaters, and other businesses took a similar approach, giving out free promotional glassware to encourage more robust collections.

Elegant Glass

Though most Depression glass was considered to be of low quality, "a much smaller subset of Depression glass, often referred to as 'Elegant Glass,' does include glass manufactured by a few glassmaking companies, known as 'Hand houses,' that did some hand finishing processes after works were removed from molds," says Hughes.

Common Depression Glass Colors

Depression glass is well-known for the variety of colors it was produced in. "While the most prominent colors in Depression glass produced were pastels, particularly pale pink, light green, pale yellow, amber and light blue, other colors, such as clear, cobalt blue, ruby red, amethyst, and even opaque colors were also used," says Hughes. "Yellow and amber were produced in the highest quantities and were the most common colors and consequently, are often the easiest to find in second-hand markets and antique shops today."

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. "I've learned that if you want a certain glass, be patient," says Michael Kelly, co-author of Collectible Drinking Glasses: Identification and Values. "It will eventually come up at a price you want to pay."

Look Past Wear and Tear

It's rare to find mint-condition Depression glass—and if you think you have, you may be looking at a reproduction. The pieces were meant for daily use and American households complied, which means that pieces today show their years of wear and tear in chips and scratches. However, these imperfections rarely affect their value and, some collectors would say, even add to their charm.

Identify Reproductions

Many pieces were never marked, so the lack of identification doesn't necessarily have a bearing on the value or authenticity of the piece. Among the companies that did mark their glass was Heisey, whose brand was an "H" inside a diamond shape. The symbol on Federal's glass was an "F" inside a shield. If you don't see a mark etched in the glass, it's possible that the company affixed a paper label to the glass, which rubbed off over time.

Signs that a piece might be a reproduction include a somewhat crude pattern and an inconsistent, muddy color. "Key factors to observe when trying to determine if a piece is a reproduction or an original include looking for scratch and wear marks indicating previous use, any odd-shaped applied work, like handles or lips, which likely indicate the piece is a contemporary reproduction, and knowing what original colors were in specific patterns," says Hughes.

Do Your Research

Because you can't rely on identifying marks, the best way to learn to spot Depression glass is to research the subject and talk to other collectors. Books like The Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass by Gene Florence will help get you started. Hughes also recommends the National Depression Glass Association, the Michigan Depression Glass Society, and the Corning Museum of Glass Rakow Research Library.

"Researching the subject, especially before buying anything, is extremely important, since in recent years reproductions have flooded the market and caused upheavals in the market," says Hughes.

Recognize Rare Depression Glass Colors, Patterns, and Pieces

Though Depression glass is readily found on the secondhand market, not all colors, patterns, and pieces are equally accessible. "Colors and patterns made in small batches are harder to find today and are considered to be rarer," Hughes says. "Likewise, specialty items within a set and/or serving items are often more difficult to come by in today’s markets because, depending on the company, batch numbers, and pattern and color, they were often made in smaller numbers."

Expect to shell out for less common colors, says Hughes. "Other pastels, such as light green, pale blue, and pale pink, were also made in a variety of patterns during the period. Because demand today is often higher for these colors, they often command higher prices than the pale yellows and amber in current markets," she says.

Where to Buy Depression Glass

Depression glass is easy to find at thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, and antique markets, says Hughes, so starting a collection is relatively stress-free—and provides an excellent introduction into the world of collecting glassware (or anything else).

"My first piece of advice is to start finding and looking at Depression glass to gain a sense of what is available in your region, what different types of glass look and feel like, and what you find most appealing," she says. "Gaining experience handling, studying, and looking at glass, educating yourself on the subject, and determining what types of pieces, colors, and patterns you are most drawn to and would like to live with are critical components of building any collection."