What makes it Depression glass?
It's the everyday glass of the Great Depression: pressed by machine, made in huge quantities and sold cheaply or given away as a premium with something else. Dozens of companies made it, including Hocking, Federal, Hazel-Atlas, Indiana, Jeannette and MacBeth-Evans.
Because it was made fast and cheap, small flaws are normal: mold seams, tiny bubbles and the odd straw mark. Those are part of the story, not damage.
Colors and patterns
Pink, green and amber were the big colors, with blue, yellow, clear and opaque colors too. Each company had its own patterns, and many were made as full dinner sets, so the same pattern can show up as a plate, a sugar bowl or a pitcher.
The pattern is what collectors search by. Our Depression glass guide walks through how to match one and which references help.
Reissues and reproductions
Some popular patterns were reissued or copied decades later, sometimes in colors the originals never came in, and sometimes with a date or a new mark added. If a piece looks a little too crisp, too heavy or an odd shade for its pattern, compare it with a known original before you pay vintage money.
Does Depression glass glow?
Some green Depression glass contains uranium and glows under a UV light, which is why it overlaps with our uranium glass collection. Plenty of green Depression glass doesn't glow, and pink, amber and blue usually won't. A glow tells you there's uranium in it, not who made it or how old it is.
Depression Glass FAQ
How can you tell if glass is Depression glass?
Match the pattern and color against a Depression glass reference. Real pieces are machine-pressed with mold seams, small bubbles and wear on the base. Then rule out later reissues of the same pattern.
What years was Depression glass made?
Roughly 1929 to 1939, the years of the Great Depression, though some patterns ran a little longer.
Is pink Depression glass worth anything?
It depends on the pattern, the piece and the condition. Common patterns are affordable, while harder-to-find patterns, colors and forms bring more. Recent sold listings are the best guide.
Does green Depression glass glow?
Some does, because it contains uranium. Not all green Depression glass glows, so we test every green piece under a 365nm UV light on camera.
Can you put Depression glass in the dishwasher?
We wouldn't. Heat and detergent can cloud or scratch old glass. Hand wash it in lukewarm water.