Depression Glass

What is referred to as Depression Glass today was a mass produced pressed glass principally made from the late 1920s through the early 1940s. Depression glass is clear or colored translucent machine made glassware that was distributed free, or at low cost, in the United States and Canada around the time of the Great Depression. Much depression glass is uranium glass. The Quaker Oats Company, and other food manufacturers and distributors, put a piece of glassware in boxes of food, as an incentive to purchase. Movie theaters and businesses would hand out a piece simply for coming in the door.

Prominent manufacturers include Federal Glass, McGee, Imperial Glass, and Anchor Hocking . At its time of manufacturer, it was considered to be of relatively poor quality, but it came in beautiful colors and patterns that held mass appeal. It was given away as a premium, and sold in five and dime stores. Today pink, cobalt blue and green colored Depression Glass are in demand, as are some rarer colors. Popular patterns then and now include Cameo, Mayfair, Old Colony, American Sweetheart, Princess and Royal Lace. Depression Glass remains once of the most collected antique and vintage glass items.