Day 122 – Pink Depression Glass

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122/365 (May 2, 2011) – More wonderful treasures rescued from my Grandmother’s home “after” my father and Uncles had cleaned out what they deemed important or valuable. I guess value and importance has a different meaning to a son than to a granddaughter.

This sugar bowl and the salt and pepper shakers were always in use in my Granny’s kitchen. I haven’t used them since I collected them, but I love them because they remind me of warm memories from both the old farm house and the house across from the church. I wonder how many times I wrapped my hands around those shakers…

Pink Depression Glass was made during the Depression (DUH!)

Depression glass is clear or coloured 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 theatres 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 colorus are clear (crystal), pink, pale blue, green, and amber. Less common colours include yellow (canary), ultra marine, jadeite (opaque pale green), delphite (opaque pale blue), cobalt blue, red (ruby & royal ruby), black, amethyst, monax, 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.