Depression Glass elicits memories of mother, grandmother

Depression Glass is a clear, colored glass produced from the late 1920s through the 1940s. Its name comes from the period from which it was produced. The Great Depression stretched from 1929 through the 1930s. Even though the production of the glass begins earlier and lasts longer, the name "Depression" still sticks.

Most of the glass was not a great grade, however the price was right and the mothers of yesteryear appreciated its beauty. During the Depression Era, a dollar bought a great deal more than a dollar does today. A set of these dishes could be bought for less than $2. If a person didn’t have the $2, they might be able to attain them as premiums for buying a certain type of gas or product at the grocery store. Often, dishes were offered at the movies, and "dish night" would bring in a crowd.

Today, one would pay a great deal more for Depression Glass than when it was first sold on the market.

Today’s prices depend on the preferences of the collectors. Favorite colors to collect seem to be pink, green and blue; however, Depression Glass was produced in a variety of colors and crystal. Some of the higher-priced items are those pieces of glass produced in limited colors, such as Heisey’s tangerine.

As with colors, there are favorite patterns that sell better than others and affect the pricing of the glass.

According to the National Depression Glass Association (www.ndga.net), pricing is also affected by the location from which it is sold. Some areas of the country covet this glass more than others. They caution using pricing guides as a hard and fast rule as to the worth of the glass for this reason. The National Depression Glass Association’s Web site is noteworthy and very informative.

There are many reasons for collecting Depression Glass. Some simply collect it for its subtle beauty, some for its value and some for the nostalgic memories of their mothers. Whatever your reason, it is a collection worthy of your interest.