Pink Mayfair Depression Glass

Depression Glass PINK Mayfair Open Rose CANDY Dish US $4.26 (5 Bids) Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 16:42:28 PDT Add to watch list

Imagine that you were a manufacturer during the period of American history known as the Great Depression. And imagine that you weren’t just any manufacturer, but you were the Anchor-Hocking Glass Company – creator of what would someday become one of America’s best loved patterns of Depression Glass - pink Mayfair.

Glass manufacturing in those days wasn’t easy. Between fires and bankruptcies, many a company disappeared. Hocking’s battle was over the Mayfair name. Although production of the Mayfair pattern began in 1931, Federal Glass started to make a pattern they also called Mayfair. Since Hocking had patented the name, Federal was forced to redesign their glass molds into what became known as the Rosemary pattern. This bit of history is important for present day Depression glass collectors since the Federal Glass pattern is much less valuable.

Hocking Mayfair may be the most collected pattern of Depression glass. Although pink, blue, and green are all popular colors with collectors, pink is so much so that many people use the terms “depression glass” and “pink depression glass” interchangeably. Consequently, pink Mayfair is fairly hard to find and the pieces are all expensive.

With its long lines extending from the center, the pattern is especially nice on platters and wide, short bowls. But Mayfair can be found in almost sixty different pieces. Goblets come in seven sizes, from the one ounce cordial, to the three ounce wine or cocktail goblets, to the nine ounce water goblet. The footed iced tea tumblers also vary in height.

When buying online, read the description carefully, note the condition, type, and authenticity of the glass. Email the owner and ask specific question about the piece, including guarantees. Value is affected by the current popularity of the pattern, the amount of detail, its age, and how rare it is. Desirability also depends on the condition of the piece. Even a fleck of paint or a small nick can lessen the value. Pieces in original packaging are also worth more.

Pink Mayfair pieces often command a high price tag. Goblets from $425 to $775 each. A sugar lid costing $1,350. A nine inch, three legged bowl valued at $3,750. Or a footed salt and pepper set with a price tag of $5,000. Demand for pink Mayfair Depression glass continues to grow and the prices of the pieces continue to grow with it. Anchor Hocking would be proud.