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Depression Glass And Vintage Glassware Collectors

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It Was A Surprise

Little did I know that I would be growing up with Depression Glass Collectors! Depression glass and vintage glass collectors are a tenacious bunch, always looking for that one great piece of glass that will enhance their collection.

Most collectors have one aha I've found it moment, but for a small bunch like my parents that moment never ends, there is always the quest for those ever elusive pieces.

I Was Ten Years Old

When my mother got interested in Depression Glass, all that pretty glass at garage sales caught her eye and that's when the research started.

Depression Glass was a machine produced glass that was made in the depression era, the glass itself was inexpensive, usually around five and ten cents. Whole sets could be purchased from grocery stores, from cereal boxes and even trading in food stamps.

My mom was actually pregnant when she and a few other people in the area found that their love of this glass deserved more than a passing glance, so they formed a group and that group turned into the Sparkling Clearwater Depression Glass Club. This club still holds monthly meetings and just finished their 33rd annual Depression Glass Show and Sale.

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I Met Gene Florence

He was a regular at our glass shows and I found him to be a very personable man. I have to say though, I have a set of pretty green sherry glasses and I brought one by to see if Gene could place it...well I'll be, it stumped him! To this day I have an unknown depression glass pattern.

For anyone interested in delving into depression glass collecting, keep your books handy and be aware that there are quite a number of reproductions on the market today, a few patterns like my pink Sharon are very hard to pick out. So be well versed in what you are doing.
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I Know Lots of You Love Depression Glass

All the pretty pieces and the fancy shows but this is my story. My mom's passion drew my dad in and soon all of us were hunting glass, there went the Scooby Doo with chocolate chip cookies and milk mornings, in favor of this sale and that sale and the next sale. If all of us went we'd fan out to various sections hunting for not only Depression Glass but coins, pocket watches and jewelry.

Our New Life

My parents collecting changed and pretty soon we were on vacations out of the state for glass buying expeditions., it evolved to participating in the actual glass shows themselves.

Hours of being stuck in a motel room, babysitting my brother who is ten years younger than I. Sometimes it seems like that's all we did, work, eat and sleep.. Does it sound like I'm bitter? Not really, it was hard work hauling large boxes of glass in and out of set ups, cleaning each piece of glass and last minute re-pricing before a show was exhausting.

At times though it could be really fun. Like the evening "Champagne" preview in Sanford, Florida. It was beautiful, all those sparkling lights glinting on glass, men and women dressed to the nines and champagne flowing from fountains, at the time it seemed more something out of a fairy tale than a glass show.
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The Decades That Have Passed

My mom was president of the club a few times, my dad once and I have almost a full set of pink Sharon for my work. My parents still travel around the country doing shows and I help them with the annual Clearwater Show.

I actually used to hate that my parents dragged me into collecting, but as I got older I appreciated the glass, the people that make all those shows happen and as my mother says the thrill of the hunt. I don't collect depression glass anymore, probably because I have a house full already and wouldn't know what to do with any more, but I do love it.

Interesting trips were our forays into Pennsylvania Dutch Country, while my parents were in a huge barn bargaining over glass my brother and were out at the hitching post where the Amish tied their horses. Every once in awhile someone would come by and give us sugar cubes. Watching the Amish come and go was a learning experience in it's own right.

Pretty Depression Glass

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My Life With Depression Glass Collectors

Certainly has had it's ups and downs! I look back now and I'm so proud of my parents. They founded a club that's a legacy to them, their passion spans decades and they have the dedication to keep collecting and setting up at glass shows even though they're both in their early seventies. Their love and appreciation of glass transferred itself to me and now my children.

These are the good things I look back on and yet I would caution any parent, with a hobby to be wary of what your doing to your children. If your toting them from here to there please make time for them to having something to enjoy on each journey. Your hobby isn't just about you when it involves everyone else!
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Do You Have a Depression Glass Story or Thought?

  • wilfredpadilla Mar 19, 2012 @ 8:14 pm | delete
    Wow, I like this lens!
  • victoriuh Feb 14, 2012 @ 3:01 pm | delete
    I love depression glass, but I don't collect it. Maybe someday when I am not stuck in an apartment. Neat topic!
  • cffutah Feb 13, 2012 @ 9:20 pm | delete
    Enjoyed what you've got on your article, thank you for sharing it.
  • designsbyharriet Feb 12, 2012 @ 1:44 pm | delete
    The collector's a ha moment has filled our house so that it is difficult to move around. What happens when that moment turns into the moment when you decide ask yourself what am I going to do with all this? Let me know. Loved your collecting lens.
  • Ingrid_A Feb 12, 2012 @ 4:14 pm | delete
    Hehehe, I hear ya!! My thoughts on moving some of your items out would be 1. look for a show in your area, be prepared to take a few of your pieces there as dealers will buy from the public 2. have a garage sale, with your main listing as glassware...that will bring any dealers in your area-make sure not to over-price 3. research your prices and start selling on ebay....good luck DbH!!
  • happynutritionist Feb 11, 2012 @ 3:12 pm | delete
    I first learned about Depression Glass by going to auctions...I am more of a paper collector, but have come home with several other "old" things, including a green depression glass reamer (the old way of making juice with your oranges, lemons, etc.). A friend taught me that you can tell it's authentic by the iridescent yellowish look it has when held to the light...it is that unique quality that makes me like green DG the most. I found a green depression glass candy dish when we were going through my dear grandparents things, too, that I saved. The two sit together in my kitchen.
  • davespeed Feb 10, 2012 @ 11:12 pm | delete
    Enjoyed your lens! I think it is so neat that your parents helped start a club years ago that is still going strong. All the best.
  • clouda9 Feb 9, 2012 @ 9:08 pm | delete
    Whenever I wonder around antique shops I am always drawn to the glass and old cookbooks. Enjoyed your personal story.
  • LittleTwoTwo Feb 8, 2012 @ 8:50 pm | delete
    never heard of depression glass .. thank you for the lesson, I do love to learn
  • collettehrock Feb 8, 2012 @ 4:16 am | delete
    Oh what I wouldn't do for the ones in the second photo from the top. I am glad that my obsession for these sort of things only started later on in my life. A great story
  • Ingrid_A Feb 8, 2012 @ 9:53 am | delete
    LOL, those dolphins have adorned my parents bookshelf for years and have brightened two weddings that I know of! I was surprised to see she had them for sale.
  • BobBlackUK Feb 8, 2012 @ 3:42 am | delete
    I'd never heard of depression glass. Not sure it's known in the UK. We live and learn. Thanks.
  • ItayasDesigns Feb 7, 2012 @ 9:18 pm | delete
    Great article! Grew up with my Mom collecting depression glass. I have a few pieces but I'm not an avid collector. Not sure how long I'll keep the pieces I have. :)
  • Squidoo_Chick Feb 7, 2012 @ 2:30 am | delete
    Hi didnt know it was called depressed glass I just like the figures. Thanks for sharing
  • mamabush Feb 7, 2012 @ 12:07 am | delete
    Thanks for sharing your story! :)
  • earthybirthymama Feb 6, 2012 @ 10:30 pm | delete
    Looks like a fun hobby. My mom use to look for depression glass when we went to flew markets and auctions.
  • JessyGene Feb 6, 2012 @ 5:53 pm | delete
    nice lens. I'd never hard of depression glass before so its nice to learn something new
  • NeilTryAthlete Feb 6, 2012 @ 5:03 pm | delete
    Nice lens! I'd never heard of depression glass either. But there is something spellbinding about beautiful decorative glass. When I was doing chemistry at university, the glassblower in our department used to make really intricate things out of blown glass, and win prizes for his work. The piece I remember best was a large Spanish galleon - it was fantastic.
  • annmackiemiller Feb 6, 2012 @ 2:56 pm | delete
    being a Scot I had never heard about Depression glass thanks for introducing it.
  • survivoryea Feb 6, 2012 @ 1:28 pm | delete
    My daughter collects depression glass too and I gave her the little that I had - nice lens!
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Yes

Those are my parents setting up for a show! Each and every picture is from their booth right after we finished setting up. Shhhh please don't tell my mother that she's on the internet though...she has an aversion to having anything to do with the world wide web, much less having her picture plastered on it.

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Ingrid_A

Hello!!
I'm Ingrid and I love to dabble in just about everything. I've got three children, I own my own business and I've written several articles for... more »

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