Can Old Etched Glass Be Worth Money?

Old etched glass may have surprising value.

Hand-made glass from the late 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s - known among collectors as "elegant" glass - includes pressed, cut and etched glass in several colors and patterns. Old pieces of elegant etched glass can sell for surprising amounts of money.

Cambridge apple blossom

Values vary depending on the condition, popularity, maker, pattern, color and rarity of various pieces. As of January 2011, collectors have made the Cambridge apple blossom pattern the most popular. A crystal covered butter dish in mint condition costs about $125, with prices as high as $450 for the same piece in blue.

Jeannette floragold

A floragold iridescent glass round covered butter dish by the Jeannette Glass Company retails for $850. The ruffled compote retails for $1,000 (all pricing current in January 2011). Floragold comes in iridescent, shell pink, ice blue and crystal.

Fostoria

Fostoria made several etched glass patterns with affordable prices ranging from $7 to $425. At the other end of the price spectrum, the Fostoria Cambridge rose point pattern has an $1800 martini pitcher and a punch set at $4,125. Again, all pricing reflects January 2011 market conditions.

References

• "Elegant Glassware of the Depression Era, 6th ed."; Gene Florence, 1995.
• "Collectible Glassware from the 40s, 50s and 60s, 5th ed."; Gene Florence, 2000

Resources

• Catlady Kate's Elegant and Depression Glass: Elegant Glass
• Edie's Glassware: Elegant Glass, Fostoria
• Edie's Glassware: Elegant Glass, Cambridge
• Edie's Glassware: Pattern Index, Floragold -- Louisa Pattern