Vintage Depression Glassware

What is Depression Glass?

From the late-20's through the early '40s, manufacturers such as Federal Glass, MacBeth-Evans, and Hocking Glass brought a little cheer into some very dreary days by manufacturing the product we now know as Depression glass. This mass-produced molded glassware came in beautiful colors and patterns to suit every taste.

More than twenty manufacturers made more than 100 patterns, and entire dinner sets were made in some patterns. Common colors are clear (crystal), pink, pale blue, green, and amber. Less common colors include yellow (canary), ultramarine, jadeite (opaque pale green), delphite (opaque pale blue), cobalt blue, red (ruby & royal ruby), amethyst, and white (milk glass). Depression glass was also made in iridescent, opaque white known as Monax, and black as well.

Even the pattern names alluded to better times and a longing for the glamorous lifestyles of the 1920s such as Cameo, Mayfair, American Sweetheart, Princess and Royal Lace.

Depression Glass Back in the Day

Depression glass was popular and affordable when it was new. The dime store, where the thrifty homemaker could find everything from toiletries to household goods, was a common source for this inexpensive purchase.

At a time when a loaf of bread would set you back about a nickel, frugal shoppers could also buy a piece of Depression glass for around the same price.

Depression glass also made its way into North American homes through the issuance of premiums. Sellers or manufacturers would offer a free gift with the purchase of a certain dollar amount of goods or a specific product, and penny-pinching ladies took full advantage of these freebies.

The glass was plucked from an oatmeal box one week, then from a detergent box the next. Sometimes gas stations would throw in a punch bowl and matching set of cups with an oil change. Movie theaters got in on the action offering a piece of glass with a ticket to a Saturday matinee. You might even hear old-timers refer to some of these pieces as "oatmeal glass" due to their origin.