Depression Glass Companies
Just before the advent of the Great Depression, more than a
hundred companies manufactured glassware in the United
States. At the end of the Depression, fewer than fifty
percent of these companies remained in business. Of these
companies, seven became major players in the production of
Depression glass, and these seven companies utilized a
little more than 90 patterns to decorate their wares.
Indiana Glass, Hocking, Federal, U.S. Glass, Jeanette
Glass, MacBeth-Evans, and Hazel-Atlas manufactured hundreds
of thousands of pieces of this popular and inexpensive
glass, creating a bright spot in the lives of everyday,
working-class people during a grim epoch of American
history.
Before Depression glass came along, colored and patterned
glass existed, but only for the wealthy. Because the
beautifully hued and intricately designed glassware of the
times was hand-blown, and the cost of manufacturing such
pieces proved prohibitive for most people, this type of
glass was simply out of reach for many households. However,
with the invention of mass-produced, machine-pressed
glassware that produced colors and patterns – albeit ridden
with flaws such as air bubbles and mold marks – a new
versatility in glassware could be made available to
households all over America. Because of this, even the
poorest families could now have cheerful pieces from which
to serve their meals, hold sugar, salt, pepper, and other
condiments, contain candy, and more – even to shake their
martinis, if they could scrape up the money for the
bathtub-made gin!
Adam, Cherry Blossom, Iris and Herringbone, Sierra
(Pinwheel), and Windsor make up some of the most popular
and now-sought-after patterns produced by the Jeanette
Glass Company from 1928 through the 1970s. From 1932 to
1942, Federal created such designs as the Sharon (Cabbage
Rose), Rosemary (Dutch Rose), Madrid, and Columbia that
fetch top-market prices today.
Anchor Hocking came into being when Anchor Cap and Closure
merged with Hocking Glass in 1937, so when you see
“Hocking” and “Anchor Hocking” you know you are looking at
pre- and post-1937 pieces, respectively. Some of the
patterns considered highly collectible today from Hocking
include Coronation (banded rib), Fortune, Old Café,
Princess, and Waterford. Anchor Hocking created such
well-loved designs as the Manhattan (horizontal ribbed)
design along with the Oyster and Pearl pattern.
Hazel-Atlas Glass Company introduced Florentine #2 (Poppy),
Hairpin (Newport) and Moderntone, while MacBeth Evans
brought American Sweetheart and Petalware onto the market.
These patterns touch on only a few of the most popular and
sought after patterns that today’s collectors seek – many
more exist from these and other glass manufacturers to
entice and fascinate avid Depression glass aficionados the
world over.
Many of the glass companies – at least those that survived
the Great Depression – maintain museums in which interested
parties can learn much more about Depression glass and the
businesses that supplied it. Credit must be given to these
glass manufacturers for providing something simple and
low-priced yet delightfully appealing to a grateful public
at a time when such items were few and far between.
So when you admire a piece of Depression glass, there’s a
good chance that very same piece may have uplifted a family
in what was an otherwise bleak time. And now you’ll know
when you see this prettily colored or clear and patterned
glass, that it’s much more than “just another pretty face!”
Until next time,
Murray Hughes
http://www.DepressionGlassSecrets.com
http://www.depressionglasssecrets.com/DPweb-articles/depression-glass-companies.html
About the Author
If you enjoyed this article by Murray Hughes, then visit
http://www.DepressionGlassSecrets.com now and enroll
in the free Depression Glass course "The 5 Essential Steps
To Becoming A Depression Glass Collector". For AOL Users: http://www.depressionglasssecrets.com”>Depression Glass Companies
