How to Identify Hazel Atlas Glass

Look for the maker's mark. Check the underside of your glassware to see if it bears a Hazel Atlas glass mark. The manufacturer's mark shows a large, curved-leg "H" with a smaller, block-style "A" inside the legs of the "H." The company used this trademark from the 1900s to the 1950s. It is the only mark used by the company except on rare pieces that are marked "PLANTONITE." Not all pieces of Hazel Atlas glass carry the trademark, so even if you don't see the mark, you may still have an authentic piece of glassware. The colored glassware rarely has marks, while pieces of clear glassware often have the logo.

Study information in collectors' guidebooks. Visit your local library or bookstore to find glass collecting books. Use these to help you identify your pieces of Hazel Atlas glassware. There are guidebooks specifically about the Hazel Atlas company and its ware, such as "Hazel-Atlas Glass Identification &Value Guide" by Gene Florence and Cathy Florence. There are also general guides that feature sections about Hazel-Atlas glass. These include "Florence's Glassware Pattern Identification Guide" by Gene Florence and Cathy Florence and "Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years: Identification &Values" by Gene Florence.

Explore antiques and collectibles stores. When learning to identify glass, there is no substitute for seeing and holding authenticated pieces. Go to antiques and collectibles stores that feature vintage kitchen glassware. Spend time closely examining authenticated pieces of Hazel Atlas glass. See which ones have a mark and which do not. Notice color, weight and shape. The more pieces you see, the more likely you are to recognize this type of glassware, whether or not it has identifying marks.

Ask an expert. While exploring local antiques and collectibles stores, talk to the sellers of vintage kitchen glassware to find out more about Hazel Atlas glass. If you have a piece you suspect is made by the company, show the piece or a picture of the piece to the antiques dealer to see if he can make a positive identification.

Join a collectors' club. Networking with other collectors is a good way to learn more about Hazel Atlas glass and to get help with identifying specific pieces. The organization Hazel Atlas Glass Collectors sponsors a members' only website that brings together collectors. Members have unlimited, free identification help from the organization. Here, you can also learn the value of different pieces of glassware.