How to Collect Pressed Glass

Distinguishing between pressed glass, which originated in England and was produced in America in the 1800s, and cut glass is difficult to the average eye. You can quickly learn that they feel differently - cut glass feels sharp, while pressed glass is smooth.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pressed Glass Valuation Guides
• Pressed Glass
• Pressed Glass Baskets
• Pressed Glass Candlesticks
• Pressed Glass Candy Dishes
• Pressed Glass Creamers
• Pressed Glass Goblets
• Pressed Glass Jugs
• Pressed Glass Salt Dishes
• Pressed Glass Vases
• Pressed Glass Mugs

1. Become acquainted with both pressed glass and cut glass to differentiate between the two. Run your hand over a piece to detect the difference in texture.

2. Realize that there are problems identifying original pressed glass from reproductions. Remakes tend to be duller and lack the sparkle of originals.

3. Note that there are few identifying markings to look for to help you determine makers.

4. Know that new collectors can often be confused by pattern names. Collectors in the glass world have renamed most patterns with names that match the patterns for easier identification. These pieces were originally called something else by the producers.

5. Consider the fact that most of the popular patterns were made by more than one company. As a result, there are variations even within the same pattern.

6. Look for pressed glass in antique stores, flea markets, relatives' cupboards and collectors' shops.

7. Purchase a guide to pressed glass.

8. Familiarize yourself with the names, photos and values of pressed glass.

9. Choose a pattern you would like to start with. Bellflower and Daisy and Button patterns were produced extensively in the late 1800s and are two of the easiest patterns to find.

10. Examine any glass for damage, including chips and scratches. This type of damage affects the price of the glass.

11. Attend conventions and shows featuring pressed glass. This will provide you with an opportunity to see some excellent items and to talk to experts.

Tips & Warnings

• Pressed glass refers to the manufacturing process using glass-press machines, which resulted in affordable products.
• Always store pressed glass out of sunlight. The sun can cause the glass to change color.
• Collectors need to be able to distinguish originals from reproductions.

[formstone]

on 11/25/2008 Hello, just bought an old piece of glass and wondered would press glass have a mark in the base that looks like the mark made when breaking off blown glass or could it be a pour mark? It looks like carafes from the brilliant period, it is 8 1/2" high and bulbous at base. The glass has bubbles and imperfections, it very thick. I think I see seams thru part of the designs but then there aren't any seams that I can detect on the bottom, the edge of the lip or across the top into the opening. I found it in a thrift store and it just screamed to me "I am to nice to be here!!" LOL

on 3/21/2006 If you want to know where a piece could have been made, how old it is or even how valuable, just look up archives on the web and find lots of pictures of pressed glass, articles about glass-making and links to other collectors, museums and more experts.

on 11/22/2005 Speaking from first hand experience; the very first thing is to learn about reproductions. I suggest two books to start with: Antique Fakes & Reproductions by Ruth Webb Lee (out of print) and Identifying Pattern Glass Reproductions by Bill Jenks, Jerry Luna and Darryl Reilly (out of print), and a newer book Early American Pattern Glass by Darryl Reilly and Bill Jenks (Large Paperback in book store).

I have a very large collection of pressed glass goblets (one per pattern) from the 1800's and 1900's, and I am always looking for another pattern at a price that I want to pay, in good condition and not purpled.

on 11/22/2005 If glass is old, it can be heavy, as most glass contained lead and it is possible it is a valuable piece. Another telltale sign is discoloration in clear glass due to sunlight. Sometimes the hues are purple or gray.