Depression glass is the quintessential American collectible — mold-pressed colored glassware produced by the millions during the Great Depression (1929–1939) and sold for pennies or given away free in flour sacks and oatmeal boxes. Today, certain pieces command hundreds or even thousands of dollars at antique shows and online auctions.
This guide covers everything you need to identify, date, authenticate, and value your depression glass collection — including a complete pattern identification table, color value guide, and reproduction detection tips.
What Is Depression Glass?
Depression glass is inexpensive glassware made from 1929 to 1939 using automatic machine pressing — a process that allowed factories to produce millions of identical pieces per day. Unlike fine cut crystal, depression glass was a working-class product: functional, colorful, and affordable during America’s worst economic decade.
The major manufacturers were Anchor Hocking Glass (Lancaster, Ohio), Federal Glass Company (Columbus, Ohio), Hazel-Atlas Glass Company (Clarksburg, WV), Indiana Glass Company (Dunkirk, Indiana), Jeanette Glass Company (Jeanette, PA), Macbeth-Evans Glass Company (Charleroi, PA), and U.S. Glass Company (Pittsburgh, PA).
Depression Glass Colors
Color is the first identifier for any depression glass piece. Each color was achieved by adding different metal oxides to the molten glass batch:
| Color | Chemical Source | Most Common Patterns | Relative Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pink | Selenium oxide | Mayfair, Cherry Blossom, Sharon, American Sweetheart | Very common — most collected |
| Green | Iron oxide | Cameo, Princess, Patrician, Cherry Blossom | Common |
| Amber | Iron/sulfur compounds | Sharon, Patrician, Madrid | Common |
| Clear (Crystal) | None | All patterns | Most common — least valuable |
| Cobalt Blue | Cobalt oxide | Moderntone (Hazel-Atlas), Shirley Temple sets | Rare — highest value |
| Yellow/Canary | Uranium + iron | Patrician, Hex Optic | Uncommon |
| Red/Ruby | Gold (colloidal) | Old Colony, Royal Ruby | Rare |
| Ice Blue | Cobalt (pale) | American Sweetheart (Macbeth-Evans) | Rare |
| White (Milk Glass) | Tin oxide / fluorite | Monax (American Sweetheart) | Uncommon |
| Alexandrite | Neodymium oxide | Various (Macbeth-Evans specialty) | Very rare — color-changes in light |
For in-depth guides to each color, see:
- Pink Depression Glass: Patterns, Values & Identification
- Green Depression Glass: Patterns, Values & Identification
- Blue Depression Glass: Patterns, Values & Identification
- Amber Depression Glass: Patterns, Values & Identification
Depression Glass Pattern Identification Table
The most commonly collected depression glass patterns, with maker, colors made, years of production, and key identification features:
| Pattern | Maker | Colors Made | Years | Key Identification Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayfair (Open Rose) | Anchor Hocking | Pink, Blue, Green, Yellow | 1931–1937 | Horizontal ribs with floral scrolls; large open rose center; blue is extremely rare |
| Cherry Blossom | Jeanette Glass | Pink, Green, Delphite Blue, Red | 1930–1939 | All-over cherry branch pattern; cherries have 2 bumps (3 = reproduction) |
| Sharon (Cabbage Rose) | Federal Glass | Pink, Green, Amber, Clear | 1935–1939 | Large rose and leaf sprays with fine rib background; pink most popular |
| American Sweetheart | Macbeth-Evans | Pink, Monax, Red, Blue | 1930–1936 | Scrolled border with snowflake-like center; lamp shades ($400–700) most sought |
| Cameo (Ballerina) | Anchor Hocking | Green, Yellow, Pink, Crystal | 1930–1934 | Dancing girl (ballerina) inside a garland or swag design |
| Princess | Anchor Hocking | Green, Pink, Amber, Topaz | 1931–1935 | Straight-sided octagonal shape; fine rib pattern with floral center |
| Madrid | Federal Glass | Amber, Green, Pink, Blue | 1932–1939 | Geometric lattice-like pattern; Indiana Glass made reproductions 1976–1977 (marked) |
| Patrician (Spoke) | Federal Glass | Amber, Green, Pink, Clear | 1933–1937 | Sunburst center with spoke ribs extending to scalloped edge |
| Moderntone | Hazel-Atlas | Cobalt Blue, Amethyst, Pink | 1934–1942 | Plain concentric ring pattern; cobalt blue is most valuable |
| Royal Lace | Hazel-Atlas | Cobalt Blue, Pink, Green, Crystal | 1934–1941 | Lacy scrolled pattern with elaborate border; cobalt blue pieces among highest-value |
| Florentine (Poppy) | Anchor Hocking / Hazel-Atlas | Green, Yellow, Pink, Crystal | 1932–1935 | Stylized poppy/flower design; Florentine No. 1 (ruffled edges) vs. No. 2 (plain) |
| Adam | Jeanette Glass | Pink, Green, Yellow | 1932–1934 | Adam and Eve motif with large square plates; butter dishes are rare |
| Miss America (Diamond) | Anchor Hocking | Pink, Crystal, Green, Royal Ruby | 1935–1938 | Diamond-shaped prism pattern; Royal Ruby is extremely rare |
| Windsor (Windsor Diamond) | Jeanette Glass | Pink, Green, Crystal, Delphite | 1936–1946 | All-over diamond-point pattern with straight sides |
| Bubble (Bullseye) | Anchor Hocking | Royal Ruby, Crystal, Forest Green, Blue | 1937–1965 | All-over raised bubble/dot pattern; Royal Ruby most valuable |
Depression Glass Value Guide
Value depends on pattern, color, piece type, and condition. These ranges reflect current market values (2024–2025):
Highest-Value Pieces and Patterns
| Piece | Pattern / Color | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| Cookie jar with lid | Mayfair, pink | $150–$350 |
| Decanter with stopper | Mayfair, pink | $200–$500+ |
| Cookie jar | Mayfair, blue | $1,500–$3,000+ |
| Child’s butter dish | Cherry Blossom, pink or green | $400–$800+ |
| Lamp shade | American Sweetheart, pink | $400–$700 |
| Pitcher (80 oz) | Royal Lace, cobalt blue | $200–$500 |
| Tumbler set (6) | Royal Lace, cobalt blue | $150–$400 |
| Cheese dish with lid | Sharon, pink | $200–$400 |
| Covered butter dish | Adam, pink | $200–$350 |
| Parrot pattern pieces | Federal Glass, blue | $300–$1,000+ |
| Cream soup set | American Sweetheart, red | $200–$400/set |
Common Pieces — Typical Value Ranges
| Piece Type | Common/Green/Amber | Pink | Cobalt/Rare Colors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner plate (9–10″) | $5–$20 | $15–$45 | $50–$150 |
| Luncheon plate (8″) | $5–$15 | $10–$30 | $35–$100 |
| Cup and saucer | $8–$25 | $15–$45 | $50–$150 |
| Vegetable bowl (8–9″) | $15–$40 | $25–$65 | $75–$200 |
| Berry bowl (4–5″) | $5–$15 | $10–$30 | $30–$75 |
| Creamer | $8–$20 | $15–$35 | $40–$100 |
| Sugar bowl with lid | $15–$35 | $25–$60 | $75–$200 |
| Sherbet / footed dessert | $5–$15 | $10–$25 | $30–$75 |
| Tumbler (flat) | $8–$25 | $15–$45 | $35–$100 |
| Pitcher (32–36 oz) | $25–$75 | $45–$150 | $100–$400 |
| Platter (oval) | $10–$25 | $20–$50 | $60–$150 |
| Sandwich plate (12–13″) | $10–$30 | $20–$55 | $60–$175 |
How to Identify Authentic Depression Glass
Physical Characteristics of Authentic Pieces
- Mold seam lines — Authentic depression glass shows vertical mold seam lines running up the sides, a hallmark of machine pressing
- Tiny bubbles — Hold to light: authentic pieces have small air bubbles trapped in the glass from the machine-pressing process
- Mold imperfections — Small chips, rough edges, and slight warping on the base are normal and indicate age
- Pattern sharpness — Original patterns are crisp and deeply pressed; reproductions often have softer, blurrier impressions
- Color tone — Original pink is a soft, dusty rose; reproduction pink tends toward bright bubblegum or orange-pink
Pattern-Specific Authentication Tests
Cherry Blossom: Count the bumps on the cherries. Original Jeanette pieces have exactly 2 bumps per cherry. The most common reproduction has 3 bumps. This is the single most reliable authentication test for this pattern.
Mayfair (Open Rose): Check the cookie jar lid — the original has a fine, deeply pressed scalloped edge detail. Reproductions have softer, less defined scalloping. The handles on original Mayfair pitchers show a distinct “hook” shape; reproduction handles are rounded.
Madrid: Indiana Glass Company produced authorized Madrid reproductions from 1976–1977 in amber, marked with the year “1976” or “1977” on the base. Pre-1939 originals have no date mark.
Condition Grading and Its Effect on Value
| Condition Grade | Description | Effect on Value |
|---|---|---|
| Mint | No chips, cracks, scratches, cloudiness, or wear; original brilliance intact | 100% of listed value |
| Near Mint | Extremely light wear; may have 1–2 tiny flea bites visible only under magnification | 80–95% |
| Excellent | Very light scratches from normal use; no chips or cracks | 65–80% |
| Very Good | Light scratches, minor knife marks on plates; no chips or cracks | 45–65% |
| Good | Visible scratches, light cloudiness, possibly small flea bites on foot rims | 25–45% |
| Fair | Cloudy, scratched, with chip(s) that do not affect structural integrity | 10–25% |
| Poor | Cracks, large chips, major cloudiness; display-only | Under 10% |
Important: Cloudiness (sometimes called “sick glass”) is caused by dishwasher detergent etching the surface. It cannot be reversed. Always hand-wash depression glass with mild dish soap and cool water.
Depression Glass by Manufacturer
Anchor Hocking Glass Company
Lancaster, Ohio. The largest depression glass manufacturer by volume. Key patterns: Mayfair (Open Rose), Cameo (Ballerina), Princess, Miss America, Bubble, Florentine. Anchor Hocking pieces often show a distinctive “H” over an anchor mark on the base, though many early depression-era pieces are unmarked.
Federal Glass Company
Columbus, Ohio. Known for: Sharon (Cabbage Rose), Madrid, Patrician. Federal pieces are sometimes marked with a shield or “F” in a shield. Federal’s Madrid pattern was so popular that Indiana Glass licensed it for reproduction in the 1970s.
Hazel-Atlas Glass Company
Clarksburg, West Virginia. Known for: Moderntone (cobalt blue), Royal Lace, Florentine No. 2, Newport. Hazel-Atlas is often marked with an “H” over an “A” on the base.
Jeanette Glass Company
Jeanette, Pennsylvania. Known for: Cherry Blossom, Adam, Windsor Diamond, Sunflower, Iris. Jeanette pieces are typically unmarked.
Macbeth-Evans Glass Company
Charleroi, Pennsylvania (acquired by Corning 1937). Known for: American Sweetheart (Monax and pink), Dogwood, Petalware, Thistle. Macbeth-Evans occasionally marked pieces with “MAC” or an “M” in a circle.
What to Avoid When Caring for Depression Glass
- Dishwasher — The single biggest destroyer of depression glass value. Harsh detergents and high heat cause permanent etching and cloudiness that cannot be reversed
- Microwave — Depression glass can crack or shatter from thermal shock in the microwave
- Abrasive cleaners — Steel wool or scrubbing pads scratch the surface permanently
- Extreme temperature changes — Never put cold depression glass in hot water or vice versa; thermal shock can crack the piece
- Stacking without padding — Plates and bowls stacked directly on each other cause rim chips and scratches
Where to Buy and Sell Depression Glass
| Venue | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | Rare and high-value pieces | Largest buyer pool; search completed sales for current values |
| Replacements, Ltd. | Selling specific patterns | Buys patterns their customers need; call or check their want list |
| Etsy | Curated sets and gift pieces | Good for complete place settings and holiday colors |
| Ruby Lane | Antiques-specific marketplace | Higher-end buyers; lower volume than eBay |
| Antique shows | Common patterns, complete sets | NDGA National Show is the premier depression glass event |
| Estate sales | Buying at best prices | Most estate sale operators don’t specialize in glass — opportunities exist |
| Facebook Marketplace | Local sales, large sets | Avoid shipping fragile glass; local pickup preferred |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is depression glass?
Depression glass is colored or clear glassware mass-produced in the United States from 1929 to 1939 during the Great Depression. It was sold cheaply or given away as premiums in flour sacks and cereal boxes. Major manufacturers included Anchor Hocking, Federal Glass, Hazel-Atlas, Indiana Glass, Jeanette Glass, Macbeth-Evans, and U.S. Glass.
How do I identify depression glass patterns?
Identify depression glass by its color, mold-pressed pattern, and transparency. Hold the piece up to light — real depression glass has small bubbles and mold imperfections. Check the pattern against the identification table above. Maker’s marks on the base can confirm manufacturer.
What is the most valuable depression glass pattern?
The most valuable patterns are Cherry Blossom (child’s butter dish: $400–800+), Mayfair in blue (cookie jar: $1,500–3,000+), American Sweetheart (lamp shades: $400–700), and Royal Lace in cobalt blue (pitcher sets: $200–500+). Rare colors — cobalt blue, alexandrite, red — command the highest premiums in any pattern.
Is depression glass safe to use for food and drinks?
Most depression glass is food-safe for serving and display. The pink color (selenium oxide) and green color (iron oxide) are stable and non-toxic in glass. The exception is uranium glass (glows green under UV light), which contains trace uranium — generally considered safe for food use but some collectors prefer display-only.
How can I tell if depression glass is a reproduction?
Check weight (reproductions are heavier), pattern sharpness (originals are crisper), and color tone (original pink is dusty rose, not bright bubblegum). For Cherry Blossom: count cherry bumps — 2 = original, 3 = reproduction. For Madrid: check for a “1976” or “1977” date mark on the base (Indiana Glass reproductions).
What depression glass colors are most valuable?
Cobalt blue is the rarest and most valuable color, followed by red/ruby, alexandrite (color-changing), and ice blue. Pink is the most popular and collectible overall. Green and amber are common and less valuable. Clear (crystal) is the least valuable in any pattern.
Where is the best place to sell depression glass?
eBay offers the largest buyer pool and best prices for rare pieces. Replacements, Ltd. buys specific patterns. The National Depression Glass Association (NDGA) annual show is the premier event for serious collectors. Etsy works well for curated sets. Ruby Lane caters to antiques-specific buyers.