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What is the Definition of Depression Glass

Depression-era glass is defined simply as inexpensive glass made in the years before the Stock Market crash in 1929 to roughly the mid-1940s, according to the website First Class Glass. Depression glass was pretty much the cheapest, most attractively colored glass money could buy, sold in five-and-dime shops. In fact, it was used as a giveaway at supermarkets, cinemas and department stores. Today, with its functionality, desirable color palette and whiff of nostalgia, collectors are mad for the stuff.

Identification
- Depression glass is a machine-pressed product. The telltale seam, or line, lets you know it's the real deal. Many of the patterns encompassed whole table settings of dishware, including butter and serving dishes, salt and pepper shakers and cake plates. The most sought-after colors were amber, black, blue, clear, green, pink, red, white and yellow, says Depression Glass Antiques.
Patterns
- A wide range of Depression glass patterns were created--hundreds, actually, according to Depression Glass Antiques. Patterns were pressed into the outside of the glass surface. Whereas some Depression glass is plain, designs include birds, fruit, flowers, lace and swirls. The colorful glass can be spotted in nearly every antique shop across the U.S., according to Depression Glass Antiques. It's showcased on ebay by the thousands of pieces on a regular basis.
Block Optic, Cameo and Royal Lace
- The Hocking Glass Company in Lancaster, Ohio, produced the Block Optic pattern, which is widely collected, between 1929 and 1933. This one is rather easy to find, in the colors crystal, green, pink, yellow and amber.
  
  Another highly prized pattern is also a Hocking pattern, produced from 1930 to 1934: the Cameo. It's known for its little dancing figure and can be found in crystal, green, pink and yellow.
  
  During 1934 and 1941, the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and Zanesville, Ohio, produced the exceedingly popular Royal Lace pattern. Production colors included cobalt blue, crystal, green, pink and some amethyst.
Depression Glass Companies
- Most of the dozens of companies producing this beloved glass were Midwestern outfits, located in Ohio and Indiana, with others found in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma by and large. Those manufacturers that came to prominence were Cambridge, Fostoria, Hazel-Atlas, Heisey, Hocking (later Anchor Hocking), Jeannette, Lancaster, McKee, Morgantown, Paden City, Tiffin, U.S. Glass and Westmoreland. Among the little-known companies, you hear names such as Bartlett-Collins, Bryce, Louis, Monongah and Standard. Interestingly, the only glass that ever received the manufacturer's mark was glass made for the kitchen. All other forms of depression glass was left unmarked.
Books
- The best books on depression glass, according to Depression Glass Secrets, are "The Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass" by Gene Florence and "Colored Glassware of the Depression Era" by Hazel Marie Weatherman. Florence's tome is a favorite for its vast array of photographs and price lists. Weatherman's book is prized largely because of the author's place as queen in the world of Depression glass collecting.

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