Collecting 101: Depression Glass! The History, Popularity, Patterns and Value! Episode 11 

I started collecting Jadeite a few years back because my depression had no outlet. It became a hobby that led me to do tons of research on all different kinds of glass. Kind of ironic how educating myself on something with depression in the name that had nothing to do with my literal depression gave me the most interesting hobby I've ever had. I'm doing much better now, and can quiet my mind so much by learning more about such beautiful pieces that brought joy to others through a literal depression in our history. ❤

My former MIL could not afford fine china so she shopped garage sales for different pattern place settings. Mostly pink, she accessorized with pink depression glass serving pieces and drinkware. Her tables were stunning and I learned to set mine the same way. Groupings of odd candlesticks also added to the beautiful centerpieces. I started with pink, but I now collect all colors.

Also, when collect things I really dont pay attention to current market value, or flipping my collection to see profits. It's much more personal. If I like the object, I think I would be proud to have it in my house, then I'd buy it.

In the 50s my Grandma made ice cream after Sunday dinner. We sat under a shade tree while Grandpa cranked that maker. Then we ate the divine dessert out of pink depression glass bowls.

I was graced to literally trip over a green sawtooth crystal candy dish melting out of a snowplow berm (along w/1890s beer bottle) along the dirt streets of this ghost town w/70 lingering residents. 4,000 were jammed in a small mountain bowl and constantly amazed at the past relics showing up and the legacy of the pioneers. The mine areas are protected by federal law but if freak'n silver Jazz Age dance ring compacts show up on public land/old boom sites nearby, there's full museum stocks rusting away unseen.

I like your presentations. You don't mess around and hem and ha. Just the facts, and you are well organized and educated on your subjects. Keep up the great videos!

My mom bought and sold antiques for close to 20 years. She sold at shows and later at antique "malls" where she had a booth. Our depression glass started with rebuilding her mom's green cameo ballerina. At first she only had the grill plates. She built it up to full service for 12. The hardest find was the small fruit bowls. I'm not sure if we got all 12, but I remember paying as much as $25 each in the 80s. My brother has it now. There's also alot of serving pieces and glasses. My dad bought her another pattern of Fostoria crystal dishes. It was in azure blue and not complete. The difference is that it is very high quality and is crystal and not cheap, imperfect glass. Over the years I have bought pieces to build it up. I remember paying $75 for a dinner plate in the 90s. It is a very beautiful set and it sets a beautiful table. It was supposed to come to me but my brother also has that, too. :( I love the "hunt".

A few years back I hosted a baby shower. I went to a variety of stores and bought whatever I could find in pink depression glass to use as serving dishes. I paid as little as $1.00-$5.00 for each item. Afterwards, I looked up the value on my pieces, and most were just a few dollars more but my best was the cabbage rose biscuit dish with lid. I still use those pieces when I do springtime entertaining. My MIL gave me a set of 6 yellow parrot dessert dishes that her mother owned. Just looked them up and they are selling at $22 a piece! Never have used them, but need to get them out of the cabinet and start!

My mother was born in 1929. My grandmother would use this kind of glass for her birthday parties, similar to the way we use paper plates today.

Thank you for another wonderful and informative video...... I am a collector of depression glass... Tea Room being my favorite (pink or green) Flawless pieces are for my collection ...I also but imperfect pieces for every day use in my depression era kitchen complete with a 1927 Glenwood OurWay Range and a 1935 GM Monitor Top fridge......Looking forward to your next video....Keep healthy and safe!

Yay! Another 101! I just LOVE these!!!

I love depression glass. Thank you for talking about it. I'm seeing lots of uranium glass in the shops.

Hi everyone, just came across this great vlog, thank you. My story, is I inherited elegance glass and DG depression era glass from both Grandmother's & a great aunt. For years, wrapped up, stashed away in a big steamer trunk. Had lunch with coworker one day, topic brought up about all the different color glass I had. My friend, insisted to see all my DG. I had no ideal the history on how those colored pieces came into my relatives possession. I went with my friend to my first glass collectors club meeting and signed up membership. From there, did my research. The club loaned out their many books on the pattern subject. Soon, I had the fever, setting up a glass case booth at a antique store. The club, did several weekend bus road trips to nearby state glass convention shows. My Grandma's had several mix patterns, mostly all pink (greens, reds, and clear too). Favorite was the AH princess pattern. I bought several pieces to princess pink collection. Bought several other patterns (top 5 mention in your vlogs,). Later I found Tiffin Glass Co., and found pieces hand-blown from Swedish Immigrate glass craftsman. Ones that appeared dark purple, and vibrant violet under black light.Added pieces from Cambridge Rose Pt., Duncan Miller, and Fostoria June pattern. Some green Hobnail & blue pattern Hotmail milk glass. I bought more than I'd sold. My trips to Sweden to see family, I started to collect both Swedish & Finnish glassware (modern, yet timeless).

Such beautiful glass, patterns, & colors! Thanks for the info on this glassware!

This was excellent.Comprehensive and interesting Will watch it again to absorb what you have said

i love this series. i am learning alot. thank you!

Great content . My parents grew up during the depression and they both called it carnival glass . A carnival would come to town and these were used as prizes you could win , by pitching pennies into them , bursting balloons with darts and other games . They would then use them at home as most people didn't have the extra money to buy them .

Terrific video! Very informative and not too long. ❤️

I have a set of uranium fruit bowls with the royal lace pattern! No chips, brand new!

I love green glass, used to grab anything I could find, and for awhile, there was lots at garage sales and thrift stores. I didn't even care if the piece had a chip. Then, I was given some unwanted pieces of the Roulette pattern from a co-worker. And, since I did already have a few dishes in that pattern, I rid myself of the mismatched &/or chipped pieces, and focused on finding more Roulette pattern dishes. Hmph. They are hard to find, even in antique stores. I can, & have purchased a few on E-bay, but by & large, it's pricier than I care to spend, especially considering they just sit on my open shelves collecting grime and dust.

Thank you excellent show.

Thanks for this, Mike - I'd never heard of the Canary Yellow Depression glass before! I enjoy using Depression glass with my china - green looks so nice with Lenox Holiday (there's a light green holly leaf in this pattern) and green and pink look nice with my two antique Noritake patterns.

This is awesome!!!

I like the air bubbles in glass pieces....crackled glass too

Love this info!

I have been buying storage units for the last 5 years and I used to throw a lot of this stuff away today I just found a huge glassware collection thanks for the info definitely paying attention to glassware now.

I purchased a little bit at a time month by month of janette pink cherry blossom glassware as a wedding present for my niece. Something she can cherish and pass down in the family. Plus I bought those really pretty depression glass containers that fit inside nice metal containers, the things you would serve nuts or mints in. Fancy items and very pretty but very affordable.

Thanks for sharing this overview of depression glass history and collecting. This would be really helpful for newbies just getting into the hobby of collecting. Princess, Mayfair, and Cameo were all made by Hocking Glass (the patterns predate merger with ACCC) but that's a common mix up. Everything else was on point! Thanks for sharing and GO GREEN!!

I love glassware to use in my home.

Tks for this info!

I love this glass, I have a few pieces in a variety of colours and patterns. It's fun to mix and match, and looks cheerful. Also, I use it all the time, cleans well in the dishwasher and I don't worry about it getting worn. Just great.

I love my clear Royal Lace dinner plates that were my grandmothers. My mother gave me birthday money the last year of her life & I found Royal Lace luncheon plates & cups & saucers in pink. Mom was so pleased by her gift to me. Over the years I gradually found pink serving pieces in this pattern. I especially like to use my pink & green glasses when using these dishes. Some call the glasses watermelon. Thanks for sharing; I loved learning the history.

Hi so colorful beautiful love it

I have rewatched this and two things.The photo of the items from above.Would make a nice picture.Shared the phrase about history with my son.He loved it.A condensed version of what we think.👍🏼

I have catered for 40+years….I have collected enough mixed pattern, pink depression glassware from plates to c/saucers, berry bowls, serving dishes . Enough to seat and serve 60 people. It is beautiful in a table scape when paired with gold flatware. I really don’t care what is worth…it is priceless to me and my children. We also collect all colors and patterns. Each grand child will get their chosen color someday. It will be a reminder of Nana.🍽️

My Grandfather on Dads side got me into Anchor Hocking, Fire King. I've got some rare pieces. Cheers Brother. happy hunting. safe travels.

I live these series that you are doing. I love depression glass. I just collect anything I like. And mix and match. Most all of my collection I use on my tablescapes. That I show off on my utube channel

Another great video, I never knew that glassware came in oatmeal. I remember way back in 1967 in Montana we got a free glass with a 10 gallon gas purchase. I still have that glass and use it on "special occasions".

Very cool informative video!

I love depression glass so much! Even if it's not "worth" much, but like you it's the history of it that I love so much. I have 4 dinner plates in the Patrician Amber design and color. I layer them with my grandmother's china. I want to add onto my collection and I'd love some green or pink pieces to mix in with the amber as those would look great with the floral pattern on the china. Thank you so much for another interesting and informative video!

Thank You!

As a collector myself I’m not really looking for “worth”, as a seller, yes but as a collector all I really care about is if it’s old and if it makes me happy... it is a thrill to find rare pieces that I know are rare and worth money but it’s not the most important thing to me... if I find a piece I don’t already have in my collection chances are I’m gonna have a hard time parting with it and will likely keep it 😂 cuz I’m a vintage hoarder and I can’t help it lol Vaseline is my favorite and the variety I collect the most of. But I love it all... what can I say I have a problem lol 🤷🏻‍♀️

I love the uranium glass. In pink and bright green. They always get me

My Husband's Aunt Marian got me started with depression glass and antiques, lots of gifts. I do like clear, silly me. I have Miss America and Fostoria American. And daisy and button plus several miscellaneous pieces. Love it all. thanks for your information.

i have a small dining table, so i have a small set (actually too much for/it crowds my table) of blue moderntone, also called wedding band. i absolutely love it. i started collecting it almost 50 years ago (as a child), but i also have various pink, green, and other patterns of blue

I don't collect, but just love looking at it

I love uranium and green. My decor color palette is purple pink and green so the bright green looks amazing in my place.

Thanks for such an informative video! O-H ! 😆 🤣 😂

I love depression glass. All my pieces are passed down from family members. Thanks for the information. I really enjoyed this video.

Thank you for this information. My grandmother had some Depression glass. I received a black celery dish. Not sure if it’s rare, but I sure do you like it. I’m now on the hunt for yellow, red, amethyst, black and uranium Depression glass.

Thank you

Hi 66 I Love your videos, so informative watched Depression glass and Carnival Glass and look forward to watching Thank you When our mother past 4 years ago my sister and I in inherited her collection of carnival glass probably because we got most of it for her, since then our respective collections and interest has grown tremendously my sister collects Davidson Pearline glass and Malachite all colours, I love them all partially Uranium of any maker, the 20 or so pieces I had from mother now amounts to over 1000 I have a large collection of 30 Cake Stand and 15 Float bowl centre pieces And, so funny, did your neighbours have the contractors in they sound ever busy Once again thanks for taking the time to share learned so much regards Bib and Rae

I love the green,,mom had it ,, inherited it added to collection,, full set georgian for 10

I inherited some green depression glass from my mother and grandmother. It's made by the Indiana Glass Company and the name is Avocado. I do have some pieces in pink, yellow and amber. Sometimes it is referred to as Sweet Pear. I don't see it often and was wondering it was really worth anything.

Nice video I have some green cups, saucers and plates. Michigan guy Ann Arbor.

Hi! I love to get pink depression glass for myself. It just happens to match my dishes at home. I like Manhatten, Windsor and Federal Refrigerator glass best.

I collect random colors and pieces.Then I bring it out to use for the holiday dinners...Pink for Easter,red and green for Christmas,etc.Clear glass for just the casual gatherings

Hi! Thxs for your knowledge!! I love depression glass just for it's beauty!! I just subscribed to your channel!!!

I've recently started collecting uranium glass. After showing my interest and going hunting at antique and thrift stores, my mom is now interested!! It's a nice mutual hobby to have, and we got so freaking excited last night!! She got her glass figurines out that were passed down through family, and we found two uranium pieces!! A blue and white Rosso Colonial Charlotte and a Rosso vaseline glass rocking horse. I was also gifted a two-piece hobnail uranium glass lamp a year ago, but I know nothing about it. I think I have a couple of other uv reactive pieces, but my little flashlight doesn't seem to make the colors pop like it does to the uranium.

I collect glass, started with paper weights, then some Greenfield Village hand blown glass, Murano glass, glass flowers, and antique bottles. You are the first person I've heard describe the uranium glass, which I recently learned about. I also collect unique elephants. I have 3 pieces of uranium glass, 2 of which combine my elephant collection. I got all three pieces locally (I live in Lathrup Village Michigan). Unfortunately I cannot attach a photo here. I collect things I like and that make my home more personal and interesting, I don't intend to sell any of my collections. I'm looking forward to visiting your store this summer!

I have a large collection of green Cherry Blossom depression glass, that started with a green Cherry Blossom cake plate i inherited from my grandmother. And so the hunt began! When green Cherry Blossom got harder to find, i bought pink Cherry Blossom. I also have a large collection of pink American Sweetheart which i inherited from my mother-in-law.

I have enough pieces to feed 30 people a 5 course meal.

My dad liked to collect "blob top" bottles. He was really into it.

Great content. Thanks for the info. New sub 👍👍👍

My mother in law got hers as wedding presents from her aunts.

Popular in Michigan right now: Tea Room, Pyramid, Parrot, Cherry Blossom, Chevron. Duds: Madrid, Cube

I wish you were closer I have the green depression glass and pyrex I need to get rid of. Love your videos.

Just getting started

My Mom gave me a bowl, and to my delight, it was Depression Glass. It lit up green under black light. I guess I'm starting a new collection. 😀

Today I purchased a beautiful green 2 tier lettuce leaf bowl with the chrome tier shaped like ones on federal glass i just can't find any info on it. It clear glass with weight on them. Who knew glass could make me so happy!!

Oh I haven't heard that about remembering history and repeating it.Brilliant.

Great audio!

My great aunt was a antique dealer and started me on the Avocado pattern my Indiana glass co. They are hard to find

I have a pink depression glass ashtray and Amber depression glass cup set !

YES, I AM SHOWING MY YEARS, AND WE HAD A LOT OF THIS GLASS. I WOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE BLACK OWL. I AM ALL ABOUT OWLS. 🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

I love depression glass but I sell most of it. My personal depression glass collection consists of uranium glass (typically green), plus canary yellow and the very dark blue. I'm not picky on pattern if it's original pieces.

Cambridge glass, caprice and crown tuscan

Grandma gave me 8 Fiber Optic green Depression glass ice cream dishes -- dessert dishes on pedestals. I just checked them and two others of similar, but not matching pattern, and they all glow green under black light which means they are Vaseline or Uranium glass. Not so sure if they are safe to eat out of, though we would be served ice cream in them in the 1950s when we were kids. I suppose I could sell them in eBay....I should probably get a Depression glass value book to see how much I could get for them...

I really enjoyed your video. This is the first video I've watched on this subject. My hobby has been depression cooking for years. I wonder what foods they ate at that time on such elegant, fragile glass.

TFS!! 👍👍👍👍👍✌️❤️🙏🏼

My grandmother was young during the great depression. She would tell me how they wouldn't have enough money for meat so they would put hard boiled eggs in the sauce. She hated it when she got older but would do it when I was younger during Thanksgiving and Christmas so she could remember how good she had it when she was 60.

I want to study the items in your photos while you talk about the subject.

I have a few pieces that were my great grandmother and grandmother’s who lived in PA and they called it Carnival Wear. One piece I have is a translucent or multi colored bowl. I’d love to know the value of it.

Many thanks for this upload! Depression is horrible but we can fight it!

Спасибо большое

I've got an old mint green ally cat, the tall one. I can't find any marks on it. But it's been in our family at least 75 years.

Uranium glass Aladdin hurricanes go for thousands too.

I have always found people love cubist especially in pink.

My grandfather blew glass his production was a one room factory with five guys working out of it e being Ed kotoski and Ralph smith in Sebastian Arkansas

I use my Mayfair pink Depression glass whenever I have guests. To me, what is the point of having something beautiful if you don't use it. I wash it carefully by hand but I enjoy it.

I don't care about the resale value,I just like what I like!😉

Monax American Sweetheart!!!! I need a salt shaker!!!!

I just found almost a full set of the pink cherry and wondering how valuable are they? Thanks for the lesson

Michigan State Spartans huh? Bay City Michigan here

It's definitely cheaper now and it would be a good time to buy...., It seems like something that will never go through the roof and will likely just hold it's value , I would say the prices have been stable for 25 years at least..., Definitely don't buy it to make money, buy it because you like it and focus on a few patterns at least in the beginning that way you won't buy anything that's not old.. Because prices are low now however maybe it is a good time to go after the rarer patters or the higher end depression glass that was manufactured more as art glass by others not Hocking Anchor/ Federal,,,, however , even here the prices are more.... I suppose stable is the best way to look at it... As far as using it , the cups and saucers are very useable but the dinner plates are a bit heavy

I have found over 200 pieces of glass and crystal in all shades but yellow so far, at my hoarders property I bought in April 2020. I've yet to have it assessed. There are 12 buildings of various sizes full of stuff. There are videos on my channel.

Am starting a tea cup collection of all the different patterns in the uranium green glass and was wondering if there is reproduced/fakes out there? TIA and am only talking about the cups and saucers. I know pieces like butter dishes and plates were repros in many patterns.

Old Colony Anchor Hocking in pink. There was a bowl that my paternal grandmother inherited from her mother in law. She gave it to my mother when my parents were married. We were not allowed to touch it. We held it in such reverence. I didn't inherit it, unfortunately. But I went and bought another one. It may be a reproduction, but I don't really care. I'll never sell it. I didn't realize it was depression glass or that there were any more pieces that matched it.

One reason it's hard to find glass that has sold for high prices on eBay and other websites online is because glass mostly changes hands through private hands especially with the really rare pieces.

I started collecting at 15 (I'm almost 18 now) and now I have a moderate size collection of depression glass, milk glass and pyrex, mostly from thrift and antique stores. I would have more but my space is limited to my bedroom and I need room for my vintage clothes and other antiques :)