Bright Spots in Dark Times: Depression Glass is Still a Collector’s Dream

Introduction to Depression Glass

Depression glass was like the Instagram filter of the Great Depression—popping up in all its vibrant, colorful glory when the world desperately needed a little brightness. Born in the 1920s and ’30s, this mass-produced, often free glassware was tucked into cereal boxes or handed out at movie theaters. With its array of colors—like minty green, baby pink, and sunshine yellow—and intricate patterns, it’s the kind of kitchenware that makes you think, “Sure, I’m broke, but at least my sugar bowl is fabulous.” 

Today, collectors scour antique shops and flea markets for these retro gems, each piece a small reminder that even in hard times, a little sparkle goes a long way. 

Recognizing Popular Patterns

One of the cooler aspects of collecting Depression glass is learning to recognize the various patterns produced. Like Anchor Hocking’s “Cameo/Ballerina,” with its distinctive female dancer with swirling veils, swags, and florals, and Federal Glass Company’s “Georgian Lovebirds” featuring the two lovebirds alternating with baskets. Collectors often seek these designs, and you don’t need to be an expert to start recognizing the different pieces. There are several reliable reference books, such as the Collector’s Encyclopedia of Depression Glass or Warman’s Depression Glass Handbook available. An excellent online reference site is the National Depression Glass Association. Over time, you’ll find that spotting patterns at flea markets, garage sales, and antique shops becomes much easier.

The Beauty of Colors

Depression glass is like the chameleon of vintage tableware—coming in colors so vibrant, you’d think it was trying to compensate for the gloomy economic era it was born into. From the cheery pastel pinks to the lush and glowing greens that made your grandma’s Jell-O salad look even more questionable, this glass had one mission: brightening up even the most depressing kitchen. Think of it as the early 20th-century version of mood lighting—instead of LED bulbs, you get a translucent flash of amber or cobalt blue reflecting off your tuna casserole.

Of course, not all Depression glass colors were created equal. Take the yellow, for example—it’s like the sunny luminescence of grandma’s lemon bars but with a slight radioactive glow (thanks to that sneaky uranium oxide used in manufacturing). And then there’s the rare black Depression glass, which screams, “I’m classy, but also probably haunted.” Collectors hunt those elusive pieces in hopes of adding a little extra vintage flair—and maybe some supernatural charm—to their homes.

Learning About Manufacturers

Identifying Depression glass manufacturers is like playing detective in a noir film—if, of course, the detectives were more interested in glass patterns than solving crimes. You’ve got to be part sleuth, part historian, and a little obsessed with tiny details. Take the legendary MacBeth-Evans Glass Company, known for its iconic Monax “American Sweetheart” pattern, or Hazel Atlas with its famous cobalt “Royal Lace” design–both easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for. But beware, not all clues are so obvious—sometimes it’s a subtle curve here or a telltale mold mark there that gives the game away. It’s basically CSI: Glass Edition, minus the crime scene, but with charming, sometimes irradiated, sherbet dishes added. 

Getting Started with Collecting

Starting a Depression glass collection is like diving headfirst into a treasure hunt, except instead of gold, you’re after translucent green salad plates and radioactive sugar bowls that look like they belong in an Art Deco museum. The thrill of the chase is half the fun—stalking flea markets, garage sales, and thrift stores like a hawk with a caffeine buzz while hoping to spot that elusive pink glass platter worth more than your last paycheck. It’s a game of patience, but when you finally spot that mint-condition caprice blue cruet set, it’ll feel like you’ve just won the pastel lottery.

Of course, getting started isn’t as simple as just grabbing any old glassware. You’ve got to do your homework—learn the patterns, the colors, and how to spot a reproduction trying to pass itself off as the real deal. But don’t worry; the good news is, unlike fine china or Fabergé eggs, you can actually afford to make a few rookie mistakes here. And hey, if you accidentally buy a piece that turns out to be a dud, you’ve at least got a quirky new candy dish, right? Just remember: the fun is in the hunt, and each piece of Depression glass you add to your collection is like capturing a little slice of history—one vintage goblet at a time. Pro tip: Don’t forget to bring your black light flashlight.

To help you on your Depression glass collecting journey, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of popular Depression glass patterns categorized by their respective manufacturers.

Anchor Hocking Glass Company

Block Optic (1929–1933) Green, pink, yellow, crystal, and some blue.

Bubble (1940–1965) All Anchor Hocking colors.

Cameo “Ballerina” (1930–1934) Green, yellow, crystal, and pink.

Lace Edge (1930s) Pink, and some crystal.

Mayfair “Open Rose” (1931–1937) Green, blue, yellow, and crystal.

Miss America (1935–1938) Crystal, pink, some green, ice blue, and red. The 6-1.4” berry bowl has appeared in cobalt blue.

Princess (1931–1935) Green, topaz, apricot yellow, pink, and blue.

Queen Mary (1936–1949) Crystal, pink and limited ruby red.

Royal Ruby (1938–1960s) Ruby red.

Cambridge Glass Company

Apple Blossom (1930s) Amber, pink, cobalt blue, caprice blue, emerald, dark green, yellow, ebony, and crystal.

Blossom Time (1939-1946) Crystal, black, crystal with gold, and black with gold.

Caprice (1936–1953) Crystal.

Chantilly (1938-1958) Crystal (most common), rarely black, sometimes with gold.

Cleo (early 1930s) Blue, green, amber, pink, and crystal.

Decagon (1930s) Pink, blue, amber, green, Carmen, and amethyst.

Martha Washington (1930s) Crystal (most common), amber, royal blue, forest green, ruby, “Gold Krystol” – light yellowish color, “Heatherbloom” – a light lavender.

Rose Point (1932–1953) Crystal (most common), rarely: amber with gold, Carmen (red), Crown Tuscan (creamy, opaque hue that ranges from light pink to dark tan, sometimes with gold), and black, often with gold.

Federal Glass Company

Colonial Fluted (1933–1939) Green, crystal, and pink; white in the 1950s.

Columbia 1938-1942) Pink and crystal.

Diana (1937–1941) Pink, amber, and crystal.

Georgian Lovebirds (1931–1936) Green and crystal.

Madrid (1932–1939) Green, pink, amber, crystal, and “Madonna” blue.

Mayfair (1931–1937) Crystal, amber, and green.

Normandie “Bouquet and Lattice” (1933–1939) Iridescent, amber, pink, and crystal.

Patrician “Spoke” (1933–1937) Pink, green, amber (Golden Glo) and yellow.

Raindrops (1927-1933) Green and crystal.

Rosemary “Dutch Rose” (1935–1937) Amber, green, pink, and some iridized.

Sharon “Cabbage Rose” (1935–1939) Pink, green, amber, and some crystal.

Thumbprint 1927-1930) Green.

Sylvan (1931-1932) Green, pink, crystal, amber, and blue.

Hazel-Atlas Glass Company

Aurora (1937-1938) Green, pink, crystal, and cobalt.

Cloverleaf (1930-1936) Green, pink, crystal, yellow, and black.

Colonial Block (Early 30s) Green, pink, crystal, cobalt, and black.

Florentine No. 1 & No. 2 “Poppy” (1932–1935) No. 1: Pink, green, yellow, crystal, and cobalt. No. 2: Pink, green, yellow, crystal, ice blue, and some cobalt.

Fruits (1931-1935) Green, pink, crystal, and iridescent.

Moderntone (1934–1942, late 1940s–early 1950s) Amethyst, cobalt blue, some crystal, pink, and platonite fired on colors.

New Century – incorrectly “Lydia Ray” (1930s) Green, some crystal, pink, amethyst, and cobalt.

Newport (1936-1940) Pink, white/milk, cobalt, and amethyst.

Ovide – incorrectly dubbed “New Century” (1923–1930s) Green, black, and white platonite trimmed with fired-on colors in the 1950s.

Ribbon (1930-1931) Green, Pink, crystal, and black.

Ripple (1930s) Green, pink, and crystal.

Royal Lace (1934–1941) Cobalt blue, crystal, green, pink, and some amethyst.

Royal Lace (1934–1941) Cobalt blue, pink, green, crystal, and some amethyst.

Ships (Late 1930s) Cobalt and crystal.

Starlight (1938-1940) Pink, crystal, white/milk, and cobalt.

Heisey Glass Company

Crystolite (1937-1953) Crystal.

Empress (1930–1932) Flamino (pastel rose-pink), Moongleam (vivid green), Sahara (lemon-yellow), cobalt, and Alexandrite (lavender that changes color under different lighting).

Orchid (1940–1957) Crystal, Flamingo, Moongleam, Sahara, Hawthorne, and Alexandrite.

Ridgeleigh (1936-1939) Crystal, Flamingo, Moongleam, Sahara, Hawthorne, and Alexandrite.

Yeoman (1931–1937) Crystal, Flamingo, Moongleam, Sahara, Alexandrite, and Hawthorne (a light lavender).

Indiana Glass Company

Avocado (1923–1933) Pink, green, crystal, and white.

Christmas Candy (1950s) Teal and crystal.

Daisy (1930s – 1970s) Crystal, amber, dark green, and milk glass.

Horseshoe #612 (1930-1933) Green, pink, crystal, and yellow.

Indiana Custard (1933-1935) Custard and white/milk.

Lorain #615 (1929-1932) Green, crystal, and yellow.

Old English (1935–1939) Green, amber, some pink, crystal, forest green.

Pineapple and Floral (1932–1937) Clear, green, amber, pink and some cobalt blue and iridescent.

Pretzel (Late 1930s – 1970s) Crystal, blue, amber, and teal.

Pyramid #610 (1926-1932) Green, pink, crystal, and yellow.

Sandwich Crystal (late 1920s–present), Amber (late 1920s–1970s), Pink (late 1920s–early 1930s), Red (1933–1970s), Teal Blue (1950s), Light Green (1930s).

Tea Room (1926–1931) Pink, green, amber, and some crystal.

Teardrop and Dot (1937–early 1950s) Green, blue, pink, white, and flashed red and yellow.

Vernon #616 (1930-1932) Green, crystal, and yellow.

Jeannette Glass Company

Adam (1930–1936) Pink, green, crystal, yellow, and some Delphite blue.

Anniversary (1947–1949) Pink, crystal, and iridescent.

Cherry Blossom (1930–1939) Pink, green, Delphite blue, crystal, Jadite, and red.

Cube (1929-1933) Green, pink, crystal, amber, yellow, blue, and white/milk.

Doric and Pansy (1937–1938) Pink, green, some Delphite blue, and yellow.

Floragold “Louisa” (1940s–1970s) Iridescent, some shell pink, ice blue, and crystal.

Floral “Poinsettia” (1931–1935) Pink, green, Delphite blue, crystal, Jadite, crystal, amber yellow, and red.

Harp (1954–1957) Crystal, crystal with gold trim, some shell pink, and ice blue.

Hex Optic (1928-1932) Green, pink, and teal.

Holiday “Buttons and Bows” (1947–1949) Pink, iridescent, some shell pink opaque and crystal.

Homespun (1938-1940) Pink and crystal.

Iris and Herringbone (1928–1932) Green, pink, and crystal.

Sierra (1931-1933) Green, pink, and teal.

Sunburst (Late 1930s) Crystal.

Sunflower (1930s) Pink, green, some Delphite blue, and some opaques.

Swirl (1937-1938) Pink, amber, blue, Delphine, and teal.

Windsor (1936-1946) Green, pink, crystal, blue, dark green, and Delphite.

Macbeth-Evans Glass Company

American Sweetheart (1930–1936) Monax (a thin, translucent white glass), pink, ruby, blue, Cremax (cream-colored ware that is opaque in the center fading to translucent at the edges with piecrust edge), color-rimmed Monax.

Cremex (Late1930s-1940s) White/milk.

Chinex Classic (1930s–1940s) Ivory and ivory with decal decoration.

Crystal Leaf (1928) Pink, green, and crystal.

Dogwood “Apple Blossom” “Wild Rose” (1929–1932) Pink, green, some crystal, Monax, Cremax, and yellow.

Petalware (1930–1940s) Monax, Cremax, pink, crystal, cobalt, fired-on red, blue, green, and yellow.

U.S. Glass Company

Aunt Polly (Late 1920s) Blue, green, and iridescent.

Cherryberry (1928-1931) Green, pink, crystal, and iridescent.

Floral and Diamond Band (1927-1931) Green, pink, crystal, black, and iridescent.

Floral Garden & Butterfly (Late 1920s) Green, pink, crystal, amber, yellow, and black.

Primo (1932) Green and yellow.

Strawberry (1937–1931) Green, pink, crystal, and iridescent.

US Swirl (late 1920s) Green, pink, crystal, and iridescent.

Reproductions

The following patterns have been made as reproductions. The reference book Collector’s Encyclopedia of Depression Glass features an excellent section that can assist you in determining whether you have an original or a repro.

Adam (Jeanette) – Made in Korea and offered by St. Louis Importing Company. Butter dish only.

Avocado (Indiana) – Tiara Exclusives Line in 1979 in pink, frosted pink, yellow, blue, red, amethyst, and green.

Cameo (Anchor Hocking) – Mosser: green, pink, cobalt blue salt and pepper shakers and yellow, green, and pink child’s dishes.

Cherry Blossom (Jeanette) – Several manufacturers are reproducing this pattern in green, pink, blue, Delphite, cobalt, red, and iridized colors. This pattern has been reproduced so often that there are reproductions of the reproductions, and the pieces are too numerous to list here.

Madrid (Indiana Glass) – Currently called “Recollections” by Indiana Glass. Reproductions are being manufactured in colors unavailable in the original pieces. The pieces are too numerous to list here.

Mayfair (Federal Glass Company) – Cobalt blue, pink, and an odd shade of green (salt and pepper shakers), pink, green, blue, cobalt (shot glasses), and pink, green amethyst, cobalt blue (cookie jars).

New “Miss America” (Anchor Hocking) – Various importers. Crystal, green, pink, ice blue, red amberina, and cobalt blue. The pieces are too numerous to list here.

New “Sandwich” (Indiana) – Tiara Exclusive Line. Amber, smokey blue, red, crystal, and green. The pieces are too numerous to list here.

New “Sharon” (Privately produced 1976) – Mayfair blue, dark green, light green, pink, and burnt umber. The pieces are too numerous to list here.

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