Depression Glass

During the economic hard times at the beginning of the Twentieth Century, glass premiums were included in food and soap boxes. They were also handed out at theaters and stores as a door prize for everyone who entered. Depression glass, in the first years richly colored, later with softer, lighter colors, was made from the 1920s to the 1970s, so there is a lot of it out there.

The color was an innovation from the previous popularity of American Brilliant cut glass. Adding various metallic and other materials colored the glass red, blue, green, amber, amethyst, ebony and white, giving it great presence on the dining room or kitchen table. Depression glass was also molded, instead of hand blown and hand carved, with the pattern in the glass impressed at the time of molding. This made it less expensive, and people in middle class households could buy complete dinner sets or entertaining sets for just a few dollars.

Once the Stock Market crashed in 1929, austerity became a way of life. But the plain, even meager, food could be served on beautiful. colorful glass plates, livening up the simplest meals a bit. And it was still possible to add new pieces through the give-away programs of your local stores and theaters. Depression glass was a boon to the soul then, and still beautiful today. Collecting it and using it is sure to lift your spirits even now.