How to Identify Depression Glass Patterns

There are times when collectors find it difficult to identify Depression glass patterns. This beautiful glass with its sparkling colors and delicate patterns was produced from the late 1920s to the early 1940s. Depression glass was affordable, and the pattern names often alluded to the glamorous lifestyles of the 1920s. It was often given as free gifts in boxes of oatmeal and detergent, or with oil changes and movie tickets. Read on to learn how to identify depression glass patterns.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Information on identifying depression glass patterns

1. Purchase a book on depression glass patterns such as the "Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass" by Gene Florence or "Warman's Depression Glass: A Value and Identification Guide" both available at Amazon.

2. Check online websites such as Depression Glass Antiques, to find the pattern you are trying to identify.

3. Take your depression glass to a local antique dealer and they will help you to identify the pattern using their knowledge of depression glass and their library of depression glass books.

4. Go to the library and search the antique and reference sections to locate the pattern of your depression glass.

5. Visit an antique appraiser and ask them to identify the pattern.

6. Bring your depression glass to antique and glass shows and ask the dealers if they recognize the pattern of your depression glassware.

7. Contact a local depression glass collector's group to ask if you can bring your depression glass to them for identification.

Tips & Warnings

• When using an online source to identify your depression glass pattern, print out the pattern design for easier identification.

Resources

• Great Source for Depression Glass Information