Even people who have no intention of becoming collectors enjoy the look of American glass from the early and mid-nineteenth century. Being able to identify the different types, giving them a date and naming the manufacturer, makes browsing through your city's antique malls, flea markets, and yard sales more fun. You may even find that you have a favorite pattern. Vintage glassware collectibles are part of the history and culture of America.
You may wonder if 'vintage' means antique, or if 'collectible' means valuable. Well, if there is a demand for something, it's collectible. Vintage means from former times but not over a century old, in general. Like a fine wine, knowing the year an item was made and who made it helps with establishing its desirability. Many collectibles are not intrinsically valuable, although certain rarities may start a bidder's war.
You may wonder if 'vintage' means antique, or if 'collectible' means valuable. Well, if there is a demand for something, it's collectible. Vintage means from former times but not over a century old, in general. Like a fine wine, knowing the year an item was made and who made it helps with establishing its desirability. Many collectibles are not intrinsically valuable, although certain rarities may start a bidder's war.
Collectibles are more fun than investment. Glass dishes are pretty, and if they're 'vintage' rather than 'antique', you won't mind using them. Once you start looking at glass from the twenties, thirties, and forties, you are sure to find patterns, colors, and styles that you admire. Even if you don't want a complete set, consider nut dishes, vases, or dessert plates.
Carnival glass was mass produced and so inexpensive that it was offered as prizes at fairs and carnivals. Cobalt blue and ruby red were popular colors for drinking glasses, platters, plates, salad bowls, vases, and tabletop ornaments. It's fun to see these useful give-aways now prized as part of American history.
Depression glass was a poor-man's imitation of the cut glass popular in earlier, more affluent times. It was colorful and shiny and brought sparkle to the otherwise grim times. Housewives bought it at dime stores or tried to fill out a set by buying certain brands of cereal or detergent. This molded glass is easy to recognize once you're familiar with different methods of manufacture.
There were many American companies turning out glassware during the war years, when imported tableware was unavailable. Names like Fostoria, Heisey, and Cambridge identify higher end glass. Many of these lines were hand-made from molds, rather than machine produced, as well as hand colored. The better lines were called 'elegant glass'.
Many people remember their grandmother's glasses or serving bowls, or have found a box of colored and patterned glass in the attic. It's fun to identify these family pieces by maker and date of manufacture. You may find that you like the nostalgia of using them on your own table or that you actually have a valuable heirloom. What might have seemed ol
Carnival glass was mass produced and so inexpensive that it was offered as prizes at fairs and carnivals. Cobalt blue and ruby red were popular colors for drinking glasses, platters, plates, salad bowls, vases, and tabletop ornaments. It's fun to see these useful give-aways now prized as part of American history.
Depression glass was a poor-man's imitation of the cut glass popular in earlier, more affluent times. It was colorful and shiny and brought sparkle to the otherwise grim times. Housewives bought it at dime stores or tried to fill out a set by buying certain brands of cereal or detergent. This molded glass is easy to recognize once you're familiar with different methods of manufacture.
There were many American companies turning out glassware during the war years, when imported tableware was unavailable. Names like Fostoria, Heisey, and Cambridge identify higher end glass. Many of these lines were hand-made from molds, rather than machine produced, as well as hand colored. The better lines were called 'elegant glass'.
Many people remember their grandmother's glasses or serving bowls, or have found a box of colored and patterned glass in the attic. It's fun to identify these family pieces by maker and date of manufacture. You may find that you like the nostalgia of using them on your own table or that you actually have a valuable heirloom. What might have seemed ol
Depression glass was a poor-man's imitation of the cut glass popular in earlier, more affluent times. It was colorful and shiny and brought sparkle to the otherwise grim times. Housewives bought it at dime stores or tried to fill out a set by buying certain brands of cereal or detergent. This molded glass is easy to recognize once you're familiar with different methods of manufacture.
There were many American companies turning out glassware during the war years, when imported tableware was unavailable. Names like Fostoria, Heisey, and Cambridge identify higher end glass. Many of these lines were hand-made from molds, rather than machine produced, as well as hand colored. The better lines were called 'elegant glass'.
Many people remember their grandmother's glasses or serving bowls, or have found a box of colored and patterned glass in the attic. It's fun to identify these family pieces by maker and date of manufacture. You may find that you like the nostalgia of using them on your own table or that you actually have a valuable heirloom. What might have seemed old fashioned or fussy can now be charming and quaint. Go online and see all the different categories in this genre.
Visiting antique malls and flea markets is such fun. Some towns have what they call 'yard crawls' when the whole town or even the entire roadside between towns is one big yard sale. Knowing the different kinds of glass is a great hobby, like bird watching or learning about old roses. Vintage glass is colorful, inventive, and just plain glorious.
About the Author:
There were many American companies turning out glassware during the war years, when imported tableware was unavailable. Names like Fostoria, Heisey, and Cambridge identify higher end glass. Many of these lines were hand-made from molds, rather than machine produced, as well as hand colored. The better lines were called 'elegant glass'.
Many people remember their grandmother's glasses or serving bowls, or have found a box of colored and patterned glass in the attic. It's fun to identify these family pieces by maker and date of manufacture. You may find that you like the nostalgia of using them on your own table or that you actually have a valuable heirloom. What might have seemed old fashioned or fussy can now be charming and quaint. Go online and see all the different categories in this genre.
Visiting antique malls and flea markets is such fun. Some towns have what they call 'yard crawls' when the whole town or even the entire roadside between towns is one big yard sale. Knowing the different kinds of glass is a great hobby, like bird watching or learning about old roses. Vintage glass is colorful, inventive, and just plain glorious.
About the Author:
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