'Depression' Or elegant' Ciloss?
Definitions Blur When Comparing
LOU ANN GOOD
Food And Family
Features Editor
ELVERSON (Chester Co.)
Confused about the value, histor
ical significance, and names attri
buted to Depression Era glass
ware?
No wonder. More than 70 pat
terns in a variety of colors and
clear glass dominated the market
during the period of history
known as the Great Depression
of the 19305.
A candle in the same
shade of green comple
ments the plate made in
the Colonial Knife and Fork
pattern.
These Depression Era pieces show some of the differ
ent patterns available. The plate is Cherry Blossom, the
tumbler is Horseshoe, the cookie jar, platter, and small
candy jar is the Cameo pattern.
Extensive collections of sparkling pieces, colors, and patterns of green Depression
glass were displayed at last year’s Liberty Bell Glass Club’s annual show. Scheduled for
April 5 this year, the show includes pieces from more than 70 patterns.
Lancaster Faj^mg
According to Henry Nechemi
as of the Liberty Bell Glass Club,
glassware was popular from the
1920 s to the 19505. Glass was
generally cheaper than china and
plastic was only in its early
stages.
“Depression glass is most often
used to describe colorful, inex
pensive, machine-made glass
ware that was produced by pour
ing liquid glass into molds,
allowing to cool, and sending if
off to be sold cr given away as
premiums.
Inexpensive, mass-produced
glassware was made by such
companies as Federal, Hazel
Atlas, Hocking/Anchor Hocking,
Indiana, Jeanette, and many
other U.S. glass companies.
In addition to the popular din
nerware pieces in a multitude of
patterns, huge quantities of
matching glass canisters, jars,
measuring cups, creamers, and
other kitchenware were also pro
duced.
Even lamps, clocks, boxes, ash
trays, vases, and decorative
knickknacks in a wide variety of
colors and patterns were avail
able.
Many housewives compiled ex
tensive collections of free Depres
sion Era glassware. A piece was
often inserted in a bag of rolled
oats. That was before ready-to
eat breakfast cereals flooded the
market. And, most families con
sumed large amounts of rolled
oats, because it was affordable
and nutritious.
Depression-era glassware is
highly collectible. And with its
popularity, prices continue to
rise.
Green, pink, and clear tones
are found most often. Some of
the patterns have been repro
duced. But collectors can often
spot the reproductions that lack
the clarity of the original pieces.
“Another common type of
glassware during this period is
known as ‘elegant glass,’” Neche
mias said. This was generally a
better quality glass with some
level of handwork involved dur
ing the production. “Elegant
glass” often included etched pat
terns, polished bottoms, higher
quality materials, and minimal
mold lines.
Colors were popular and com
mon, but many “elegant glass”
patterns were produced in crys
tal. Elegant glassware com
manded higher prices then and
now.
The most collectible today are
Cambridge, Fostoria, and Heisey,
but other leading producers of
the better quality glass included
Duncan and Miller, Fenton, Im
perial, New Martinsville, and
Westmoreland.
The lines between determining
what glassware is Depression and
what is elegant are blurry.
Nechemias said, “Perhaps ‘de
pression’ and ‘elegant depression’
might be a better differentiator.”
More than 70 patterns of De
pression Era glass will be on ex
hibit at the Liberty Bell Glass
Club’s annual show. Scheduled
for Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m.-4
p.m. at the Elverson Fire Compa
ny, the show is an excellent place
to find unique pieces. In addition,
exhibitors offer helpful informa
tion and answer questions per
taining to glassware.
Collectors interested in know
ing more about glassware are also
invited to attend the monthly
meetings of the Liberty Bell Glass
Club. It meets at 7:30 p.m. every
third Tuesday of each month at
the Central Baptist Church, 106
W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne.
(Enter at back of building).
For more information about
the club and its upcoming annual
show, call Shirley Smith at (610)
466-9425.
ore Than 70 Patterns
Loretta Seidl, Willow Grove, is one of the exhibi
tors at the Liberty Bell Glass Club Show, which is in
its 27th year. Seidl’s collection includes amber, co
balt blue, and clear crystal pieces.
Liberty Bell Ctlass Show
To ‘Feature Atorc Than
70 Patterns
ELVERSON (Chester Co.)
Twenty-seven years marks
the anniversary of the Liberty
Beil Glass Club’s annual Show
and Sale, Saturday, April 5
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the
Elverson Fire Hall.
More than 70 patterns in
Depression glassware and
china will be exhibited, made
by famous manufacturers such
as Fenton, Heisey, Anchor
Hocking, Westmoreland, and
Federal. Eighteen exhibitors
are expected to display their
wares. Most of the pieces can
be purchased at the show.
If you have not yet attended
one of these shows, you will be
surprised at the dazzling ap
pearance the numerous glass
items make under the bright
lights. Knowledgeable mem
bers will be happy to share
their years of experience with
visitors.
Gift certificates donated by
the club will be awarded
throughout the day. These
may be used at any of the col
lectors or vendors stands pres
ent at the show.
Discount admission tickets
are available until March 22 if
you phone (610) 666-7033 and
leave your name and address
for mailing purposes.
The Elverson Fire Company
makes light snacks available
during the mid-day exhibit
hours. The fire house is locat
ed on Rt. 23, three miles east
of Morgantown. (Exit 22 on
the Pennsylvania Turnpike).
The Liberty Bell Glass Club
also extends an invitation to
their monthly meetings con
ducted on the third Tuesday
of each month at the Wayne
Central Baptist Church in
Wayne (along Rt. 30). Meet
ings are held in the rear of the
building at 7:30 p.m.