It's fascinating to follow the styles of glass dishes and ornaments throughout American history. True antiques, like seventeenth century hand-blown bottles and vases, are museum pieces, but vintage glassware collectibles can be found in almost every city at antique malls and flea markets. Even if you don't have your own collection, you might want a specimen piece or two, or you might just like knowing more about things you see while browsing in antique malls and flea markets.
You may wonder if 'vintage' means antique, or if 'collectible' means valuable. Well, if there is a demand for something, it's collectible. Vintage means from former times but not over a century old, in general. Like a fine wine, knowing the year an item was made and who made it helps with establishing its desirability. Many collectibles are not intrinsically valuable, although certain rarities may start a bidder's war.
Antiques are loosely considered to be more than 100 years old and to have a certain value. These are considered good investments, especially when in original and good condition. Collectible items are generally more affordable and may go out of fashion as quickly as they come in, so the point is more because you like a certain type, color, or style of glass that that you expect a return for your money.
Collectible glass comes in functional pieces like dishes, platters, punch bowls, vases, and drinking glasses. It was also used for decorative items, from paperweights and Christmas tree ornaments to lamp shades, but these are harder to find. It has always been popular to give glass items as wedding presents, and many a family heirloom holds memories of the giver and the occasion. Some highly decorative, colorful glass was given as prizes at carnivals and Bingo games.
Depression glass was a poor-man's imitation of the cut glass popular in earlier, more affluent times. It was colorful and shiny and brought sparkle to the otherwise grim times. Housewives bought it at dime stores or tried to fill out a set by buying certain brands of cereal or detergent. This molded glass is easy to recognize once you're familiar with different methods of manufacture.
The popularity of patterned glass remained popular through the World War II years, when imported dishes and ornaments were unavailable. Look at Fostoria glass online to get an idea of the dishes, pitchers, vases, punch bowls, salt shakers, and platters made for the American home. Clear glass was popular, as well as pink, green, and opaque white. Cambridge and Heisey were other leading brands of hand-molded and colored 'elegant glass', a cut above the cheaper, machine-made Depression items.
Once you know how to recognize the various styles of glass, you may be able to date and categorize pieces your grandparents left. Knowing the provenance of heirlooms makes them even more special and may tell you more about your family history. You may even find that your keepsake is rare and more valuable than most collectibles.
Visiting antique malls and flea markets is such fun. Some towns have what they call 'yard crawls' when the whole town or even the entire roadside between towns is one big yard sale. Knowing the different kinds of glass is a great hobby, like bird watching or learning about old roses. Vintage glass is colorful, inventive, and just plain glorious.
You may wonder if 'vintage' means antique, or if 'collectible' means valuable. Well, if there is a demand for something, it's collectible. Vintage means from former times but not over a century old, in general. Like a fine wine, knowing the year an item was made and who made it helps with establishing its desirability. Many collectibles are not intrinsically valuable, although certain rarities may start a bidder's war.
Antiques are loosely considered to be more than 100 years old and to have a certain value. These are considered good investments, especially when in original and good condition. Collectible items are generally more affordable and may go out of fashion as quickly as they come in, so the point is more because you like a certain type, color, or style of glass that that you expect a return for your money.
Collectible glass comes in functional pieces like dishes, platters, punch bowls, vases, and drinking glasses. It was also used for decorative items, from paperweights and Christmas tree ornaments to lamp shades, but these are harder to find. It has always been popular to give glass items as wedding presents, and many a family heirloom holds memories of the giver and the occasion. Some highly decorative, colorful glass was given as prizes at carnivals and Bingo games.
Depression glass was a poor-man's imitation of the cut glass popular in earlier, more affluent times. It was colorful and shiny and brought sparkle to the otherwise grim times. Housewives bought it at dime stores or tried to fill out a set by buying certain brands of cereal or detergent. This molded glass is easy to recognize once you're familiar with different methods of manufacture.
The popularity of patterned glass remained popular through the World War II years, when imported dishes and ornaments were unavailable. Look at Fostoria glass online to get an idea of the dishes, pitchers, vases, punch bowls, salt shakers, and platters made for the American home. Clear glass was popular, as well as pink, green, and opaque white. Cambridge and Heisey were other leading brands of hand-molded and colored 'elegant glass', a cut above the cheaper, machine-made Depression items.
Once you know how to recognize the various styles of glass, you may be able to date and categorize pieces your grandparents left. Knowing the provenance of heirlooms makes them even more special and may tell you more about your family history. You may even find that your keepsake is rare and more valuable than most collectibles.
Visiting antique malls and flea markets is such fun. Some towns have what they call 'yard crawls' when the whole town or even the entire roadside between towns is one big yard sale. Knowing the different kinds of glass is a great hobby, like bird watching or learning about old roses. Vintage glass is colorful, inventive, and just plain glorious.
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