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Instructions
How to Identify My Glassware
Look for a manufacturer's mark. If you can find a mark, you've expedited your research considerably. Look in an illustrated glass marks dictionary for a picture that matches the mark on your piece. You'll often be able to discover not only the company that produced the piece, but the years of production associated with the particular mark found on your glassware.
Research general glassware styles and patterns. A good general glassware guide will help you determine whether your glassware has characteristics of glass made in a particular era or by a particular company. For instance, in the article "A Depression Glass Primer," glass expert Christine Nagy points out that Depression glass was produced by machine in large quantities and often has manufacturing flaws. If you're trying to discover the name of the pattern on a cut-glass tumbler, an understanding of the nature of Depression glass will immediately save you the trouble of researching Depression-glass patterns. Once you discover that cut glass was wildly popular in America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, you'll be able to narrow your search.
Research the companies or eras you now associate with your glassware. Read price guides and look at the pictures. Look for relevant advertisements in old magazines.
Consult with experts. Although you can pay an expert for an appraisal, doing so isn't always necessary. Some price guide authors include their contact information in their books and are happy to answer questions from their readers. Some glassware dealers are also happy to offer free advice. After all, knowledge of glassware sometimes leads to an appreciation of it, and those who appreciate glassware often purchase it.