Depression Glass Question?
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During the "Great Depression" people were out of work, there was no real money circulating. Times were real hard for the American people they had problems buying cloths, shoes, food for there family's ect...But when you go into the Antique Shops you see tons of Depression Glass in a large variety of colors. Can you please shed some light on this subject.Did they buy it? Or was it a bonus gift when they bought something?
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Depression glass is clear or colored translucent glassware that was distributed free, or at low cost, in the United States around the time of the Great Depression. 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.
Most of this glassware was made in the central and mid-west United States, where access to raw materials and power made manufacturing inexpensive in the first half of the twentieth century. More than twenty manufacturers made more than 100 patterns, and entire dinner sets were made in some patterns. Common colors are clear, or crystal; pink, pale blue, green, and amber. Less common colors include yellow, jadeite (opaque pale green), delphite (opaque pale blue), cobalt blue, red, black, and white (milk glass).
Although of marginal quality, Depression glass has been highly collectible since the 1960s. Due to its popularity as a collectible, Depression glass is becoming more scarce on the open market. Scarce pieces may sell for several hundred dollars. Some manufacturers continued to make popular patterns after World War II, or introduced similar patterns, which are also collectible. Popular and expensive patterns and pieces have been reproduced, and reproductions are still being made.
what are you talking about?
now i dont know if "depression glass" is actually glass from the depression period or a type of style
but for the sake of the question…
people still had money.
rich people get richer in times of general economic stress, so theres still lots of money to be spent
Everyone I knew during WWII had at least one piece of depression glass in their home on display. It was almost a status symbol. Also at that time were sets of dinnerware. The one I remember best was distributed by ‘Jewel Tea’. You got it mostly from door to door salesmen. Fuller Brush was there also. People who are fortunate enough to work during a depression do not suffer. The problem is there are so few jobs. Business has trouble staying afloat. People go homeless and hop freight trains to get from place to place in hopes of something better. But the real treasures like depression glass become icons of a unique time in history.
It was mostly given out as premiums when you bought things at the grocers, went to the movies, etc.
You already have several excellent answers, but I will try to give you my perspective from a family viewpoint. This glassware was inexpensive to purchase and folks wanted something nice for those occasions. My grandmother passed on a set of berry bowls which my dad passed along to me. From what I understand, even though the glassware was inexpensive, it took my grandmother quite a long time to save up for it, and it was only used for the very best occasions. It was a treasure. Even in the darkest days, people want something nice on the table.
I have seen a few pieces at antique stores, wish I had some. great question, I have no idea where it came from
Great answers here which cover the answer to your question. We were fortunate enough to acquire a few pieces from relatives which we treasure. They will be passed on to our children along with the history of their significance..
Good question.
i heartily concur with answer one. i remember all those things he mentions.
Were not the give away items like depression glass called premiums or lagniappe ? I also remember getting a free glass when buying a tank of gasoline.
It was inexpensive. It was given as prizes at carnivals and fairs and as premiums in products like oats and laundry detergent.