The Beauty of Green Depression Glass

HOCKING Green DEPRESSION GLASS Cereal CANISTER COVD JAR US $73.11 (15 Bids) Auction Ends: End Date: Friday Sep-03-2010 15:56:22 PDT Add to watch list

HOCKING Green DEPRESSION GLASS LARGE CANISTER JAR US $39.00 (8 Bids) Auction Ends: End Date: Friday Sep-03-2010 15:56:40 PDT Add to watch list

Remember the visits to Gramma’s house when you were little and the dishes she used to serve her meal? If she was a housewife during the Great Depression, no doubt she saved some of the wonderful patterns of green Depression glass that usually graced her table.

Whether you became a collector after inheriting some of the beautiful pieces of glass or you found your first pattern in an antique store, you should learn about the various styles of Depression glass. Otherwise, you could end up paying too much for reproductions.

Of the over one hundred patterns of Depression glass that were manufactured between 1920 and 1940, a number of them are available in various shades of green. The color is such a favorite with collectors that some designs sell for hundreds of dollars per piece. Following are a few of the more popular pieces and their manufacturers:

Hazel Atlas Glass Company: Florentine was manufactured for three years during the early 1930’s. This pattern featured a floral design pressed into the glass. The delicate pattern graced a number of different pieces, many of which were highly specialized. Soup, cereal, vegetables, sherbet, each were served in their own dishes.

Indiana Glass: One of the most striking of the green Depression glass patterns is the Avocado. With its scalloped edges and delicate leaf and fruit pattern, it’s a feast to the eyes. The green pitcher is especially lovely, which is the reason it’s valued at almost $800.

Lorain is another Indiana pattern sought out by new collectors. Sometimes referred to as the Basket pattern, it was made from 1929 to 1932. Although not as many pieces are available as some sets, the green glass is less expensive than some Depression glass.

Anchor Hocking: Green Cameo is one of the most desirable patterns of Depression glass. Although expensive, it is possible to collect an eight or twelve piece setting. Often called “Ballerina”, the pattern is said to have been modeled after a dancer of that era, Isadora Duncan. Hocking also manufactured the Mayfair pattern in green, featuring long lines extending from the center.
 
Jeannette : The Cube pattern is one of the most popular designs made by the Jeannette company. Featuring a series of raised cubes on the surface of the glass, the design catches the light and makes it stand out. The one drawback to collecting this pattern is that there is no dinner size plate. Another popular Jeannette pattern is the Floral, or “Poinsettia”. These green floral pieces have been found in Canada and England as well as the United States.

Some people collect as many pieces as they can find of one pattern of glass, or a piece from each pattern. Others look for only a specific type of dish or all of the pieces from one manufacturer. Whatever you decide, collecting green Depression glass is a rewarding and possibly lucrative hobby.