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How to Determine the Value of Old Glassware

Glassware, ranging from the practical to the decorative, is highly collectible. A number of factors play into determining the value of glassware, including maker information, period of manufacture, designer information, location of manufacture, history of individual pieces and scarcity. Antiques dealers and auction houses often employ experts in glassware, but before you take your pieces to someone else, you can do a bit of research yourself to get an idea of what your glass is worth.

Things You'll Need

Glassware
Pen
Paper
Internet access

Instructions

- 1
  
  Examine your glassware carefully. Look for any scratches, chips or breakage. Pieces that are in "mint" or perfect condition are always worth more than pieces with flaws or damage. Make a note of any flaws in your pieces, including where they are and how severe they are. You'll use this information later when you look up your glassware in databases online or in books.
- 2
  Look at your pieces carefully for maker's marks. Maker information is very important in determining the value of glassware. These can range from the handwritten "Steuben" characteristic of Steuben glass to imprints, stamped or inked signatures, logos, or other identifiers. Look also for designer names, lot numbers, locations or dates, sometimes included on limited glass works.
- 3
  
  Check your glass for the date of its make and record any known history about it. The date and history of a piece contribute to its provenance, or background story. If you know that a piece of crystal has been in your family for six generations, make a note of that. If you know that your punch set belonged to a relative who brought it to the U.S. from Ireland, that's also worth noting. If you know the exact dates and locations of purchases of glassware, keep those in mind as you look at databases of glass to help place yours in time.
- 4
  Take photos of unmarked glass and send your photographs of the pieces to Replacements, Ltd., a company that specializes in identifying glassware and supplying replacement pieces. Replacements, Ltd. will use your photos to identify your glass and tell you who the maker is and when, approximately, your glassware was made. With this information, you can go on to look up information about the value of the glass online or in books.
- 5
  Research your glassware using Internet databases and books to help determine the value of your pieces. Make a list of the pieces you have and all of the information you have about them. Use the list to compare your pieces to what is shown online and in the books. A number of books are recommended below. If glassware made by the maker you own isn't listed, take a look at the other characteristics you've listed about your pieces to find similar work---it will likely be in the same price range.

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