Glass Salt Pepper

Auto Glass - All That Stands Between You and a Grisly Death!

Just before the advent of the Great Depression, more than a 
hundred companies manufactured glassware in the United 
States. At the end of the Depression, fewer than fifty 
percent of these companies remained in business. Of these 
companies, seven became major players in the production of 
Depression glass, and these seven companies utilized a 
little more than 90 patterns to decorate their wares. 
Indiana Glass, Hocking, Federal, U.S. Glass, Jeanette 
Glass, MacBeth-Evans, and Hazel-Atlas manufactured hundreds
of thousands of pieces of this popular and inexpensive 
glass, creating a bright spot in the lives of everyday, 
working-class people during a grim epoch of American 
history.

Before Depression glass came along, colored and patterned 
glass existed, but only for the wealthy. Because the 
beautifully hued and intricately designed glassware of the 
times was hand-blown, and the cost of manufacturing such 
pieces proved prohibitive for most people, this type of 
glass was simply out of reach for many households. However, 
with the invention of mass-produced, machine-pressed 
glassware that produced colors and patterns - albeit ridden 
with flaws such as air bubbles and mold marks - a new 
versatility in glassware could be made available to 
households all over America. Because of this, even the 
poorest families could now have cheerful pieces from which 
to serve their meals, hold sugar, salt, pepper, and other 
condiments, contain candy, and more - even to shake their 
martinis, if they could scrape up the money for the 
bathtub-made gin!

Adam, Cherry Blossom, Iris and Herringbone, Sierra 
(Pinwheel), and Windsor make up some of the most popular 
and now-sought-after patterns produced by the Jeanette 
Glass Company from 1928 through the 1970s. From 1932 to 
1942, Federal created such designs as the Sharon (Cabbage 
Rose), Rosemary (Dutch Rose), Madrid, and Columbia that 
fetch top-market prices today.

Anchor Hocking came into being when Anchor Cap and Closure 
merged with Hocking Glass in 1937, so when you see 
"Hocking" and "Anchor Hocking" you know you are looking at 
pre- and post-1937 pieces, respectively. Some of the 
patterns considered highly collectible today from Hocking 
include Coronation (banded rib), Fortune, Old Café, 
Princess, and Waterford. Anchor Hocking created such 
well-loved designs as the Manhattan (horizontal ribbed) 
design along with the Oyster and Pearl pattern.

Hazel-Atlas Glass Company introduced Florentine #2 (Poppy), 
Hairpin (Newport) and Moderntone, while MacBeth Evans 
brought American Sweetheart and Petalware onto the market.

These patterns touch on only a few of the most popular and 
sought after patterns that today's collectors seek - many 
more exist from these and other glass manufacturers to 
entice and fascinate avid Depression glass aficionados the 
world over.

Many of the glass companies - at least those that survived 
the Great Depression - maintain museums in which interested 
parties can learn much more about Depression glass and the 
businesses that supplied it. Credit must be given to these 
glass manufacturers for providing something simple and 
low-priced yet delightfully appealing to a grateful public 
at a time when such items were few and far between.

So when you admire a piece of Depression glass, there's a 
good chance that very same piece may have uplifted a family 
in what was an otherwise bleak time. And now you'll know 
when you see this prettily colored or clear and patterned 
glass, that it's much more than "just another pretty face!"

 

About the Author

http://www.neighborhoodauroglass.com-- For more info and FREE tips on autoglass repair just go to neighborhoodauroglass.com

Raise you glass - Jbabes ft. Salt and Pepper