Depression glass

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The term "Depression Glass" is generally used to refer to the colored, translucent glassware distributed for free or at an exceptionally low cost around the time of the Great Depression in the United States. Businesses would hand out a piece simply for coming in the door. Quaker Oatmeal and other similar food manufacturers and distributers would put a piece of glassware in boxes of food as an added incentive to purchase. The glassware was made in multiple patterns and colors; families could collect entire dinner sets.

Most of this glassware was made in the central and mid-west parts of the united states where access to raw-materials, and power made manufacturing inexpensive in the first half of the twentieth century.

This glassware is now very popular among collectors globally. Unusual and rare pieces may sell for several hundred dollars.

Depression glass is inexpensive (to produce) glassware and may include:

• Milk glass,
• Uranium glass,
• Satin glass, and
• Pressed glass, including

• Carnival glass.

[National Depression Glass Association (http://www.ndga.net)]

Depression glass was made by manufactures such as:

• Anchor Hocking
• Fostoria
• Fry Glass
• Hazel-Atlas Glass Company
• Hocking Glass Company
• Indiana Glass Company
• Jeanette Glass Company
• McKee Glass Company
• US Glass Company
• Federal Glass Company
• Westmoreland Glass Company

A separate category of depression glass sometimes referred to as Elegant Glass was created and manufactured for distribution through jewellery and department stores. This glassware was of a much better quality and was used as an alternative to fine china for serving dishes from the 1920's through to the 1950's. By the mid-late 1950's most of the Elegant Glassware manufacturers had closed and cheap glassware and imported fine china took it's place.

Some Elegant Glassware Factories included:

• Heisey Glass Company
• Cambridge Glass Company
• Fenton Glass Company
• Fostoria Glass Company