How to Identify Old Glass Trays

Check for straw marks and ripples in the tray. Old glass has more flaws than newer glass. Run your fingers across the edges of your tray. If they feel sharp, chances are the tray was hand-cut. If the edges feel smooth, it is likely the tray was pressed from a mold. Hand-cut glass is often older, but cut-glass and pressed-glass trays are both collectible.

Turn the tray over to see if there is a manufacturer's mark on the bottom. Trays made by A.H. Heisey &Co. of Newark, Ohio, were engraved with the letter "H" inside a diamond shape. Trays made by the Indiana Glass Company are marked with the letter "I" within a similar diamond shape. Not all glass companies marked their glass. However, you can often identify your tray's manufacturer by identifying its pattern.

Take a picture of your old glass tray and visit a library to consult reference books on vintage glass such as the "Fostoria" guides. Online sources such as the Antique and Auction Place can also be helpful. First, look up the pattern. Once you have identified it, look up information about the manufacturer and your tray's potential value to collectors.

Have an antique dealer that specializes in vintage glassware appraise your tray. If you have been unable to identify the pattern and/or manufacturer, a knowledgeable antique dealer or appraiser can be quite informative.