Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Depression Glass

I have collected depression glass for twenty years.  Pink depression glass has always been my favorite and started with a single set that belonged to my great- grandmother.





My great- grandmother lived with my Mama and her family as she was growing up.  My Mama loved her so much and spoke of her with love and affection.  She had a hard life, but clearly rose above all the hardships she endured.  I never met her, but feel greatful for the love she showered on my Mama and my aunts and uncles.  This cream and sugar set would be carried up to my great- grandmother for her tea.  I also have her blue lustre tea set that she used for many years.  I feel my love of tea must have come from her.





My sister's friend knew I loved depression glass and gave me her mother-in-laws depression glass. I've found pieces in antique shops as well as gifts from family members have rounded out my collection as it fills this curio cabinet. My cabinet has a mirror behind to reflect the glass, but makes it quite difficult to photograph!






Depression glass is not a fine glass. Basically it's a pressed glass.  It was given as incentives to buy a product or attend a movie during the depression.  When one attended a movie during this era, it is said that as everyone was leaving the show you could hear the glass breaking as patrons left the theater--forgetting they had glass in their laps. Some gas stations gave away pieces with an oil change.  Quaker Oats put pieces in their boxes of oats -- also some detergent companies had pieces in their boxes.







I removed some of the pieces from the cabinet so you could see them better.  

There were many different patterns and manufacters of depression glass.  I do not collect any particular company or pattern.  It's fun to set a table with all this beautiful glass.  Won't you come to tea?















18 comments:

  1. I love few things better than glass on display~the way it catches the light and sparkles, casting shadows. What a lovely history you share with us, and I've learned something new too! I have some pieces of pressed glass, nothing precious, but now you have got me wondering about it in this country. Your family pieces are quite beautiful and special.
    I like your new background too! ~~~Deb

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    1. I've always loved glass too, Deb. I would love to see your pieces!
      Playing around with templates here and came up this one-- Hopefully I'll continue to learn how to improve the look here. ♥

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  2. I didn't know any of that about Depression glass. Very interesting. I have one piece--an oval dish. I can't remember whether my mother gave it to me or my mother-in-law now. I have lots of pieces that are old but have no idea now who gave it to me. I wish I'd photographed them and written where they came from. I love hearing the history of your family.

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    1. Cathy, one of the reasons I want to write posts about items in our home is so our children and grandchildren will have a record of some of the things we own. Yes I have told them about these things through the years---I've read where some folks put stickers on the bottoms of objects telling origins etc. I considered that but I think this is a better way. ♥

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  3. I'm so happy to see you blogging! Love your collection of Depression glass. I have a few pieces from my grandmother and some I found at a flea market, but this is impressive. I tried to join your site, but had trouble signing in--will try later, XOXO

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    1. Thank you, Susan--it's nice hearing from you. I think the pieces that were passed down to us mean the most! I love connections from the past. ♥

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  4. Hi Martha, Depression glass is an antique i've often admired, but never collected. Yours is lovely, lovely, a beautiful color!The reason I never collected glass of any sort is because the house was always full of climbing kitties and rowdy little boys. That was way back when. I only recently began collected the red transferware and your rose colored glass would be sensational alongside. In a post beneath, you talked about defunct collections; for a while I gathered the pincushions with the little plaster ladies on top, I think they were from the 20's and 30's. It is the only collection I ever gave away; my sister really appreciated it. Someone will always be happy to take a full collection.

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    1. Jeri, I understand about rowdy children. My grandsons and my son before them never go into the cabinet. Your red transferware would be great with this glass. I love red transferware and would love to own it. But alas I'm thinking I shouldn't give into this new obsession! ♥

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  5. PS, I can't seem to join your blog, I'll try again tomorrow. Jeri

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  6. Would love to! I have some of my grandmother's pink, green, and amber depression glass, but certainly not as large a collection as you are displaying. I think it is very pretty glassware.

    So glad to have had a little birdie named Cheryl tell me about your blog. I have enjoyed reading your posts and have tried to Follow, but keep getting an error message. I'll keep coming back and trying again.

    So welcome to Blogdom. Have a lot of fun!

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    1. I'd love to have you for tea, Vee. You are welcome anytime!
      Thank you to the little birdie ,Cheryl! You are the third person that has told me about the error message.
      I hope it will correct itself as I don't know what to do about it. ♥

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  7. I would love to come for tea! You have such a lovely collection of depression glass! I don't own any pieces but admire them so! xoxo

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    1. I'd love it if you would come for tea, Rosinda! Thank you for all of your sweet comments. xoxo ♥

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  8. P.S. I've tried various times to "follow" your blog, but for some reason, the computer won't allow me to.

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    1. Rosinda, I don't know why the google friend connect follow button isn't working. I've tried to figure out why, but with no luck. Hopefully it will resolve itself. ♥

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  9. I'm so glad I came by today to see your beautiful depression glass. I share your love for the pink dishes. I have my grandmother's depression glass, which I hear she collected from the dime store very cheaply. There seem to be mostly interesting serving pieces and dessert type dishes, maybe a tea set! It was so nice seeing your collection.

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    1. I'm so glad you stopped by, Dotsie. It's funny that something so inexpensive or free is collected today. ♥

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