Date: 15 May 2007
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Depression glass was made roughly from the late 1920s to about 1941, covering the Great Depression of the 1930s. Glass makers developed mass production techniques that allowed them to make attractive glass cheaply and without hand work, making it so inexpensive that companies used depression glass as premiums and giveaways in everything from oatmeal to soap to flour. Movie theatres gave away glass each week and patrons could accumulate sets over time.
Glass companies such as Federal or Jeannette developed pretty patterns and designs and colors such as amber, topaz (yellow), green, blue, aquamarine (turquoise), rose and red. Much of the glass came in a wide variety of shapes, often including dinner sets, lunch sets, serving pieces, decorative bowls and plates. This glass was not high quality; glass was not as clear as fine crystal produced by firms like Heisey or Fostoria and the seams were often raised. Many pieces had little bobbles or wrinkles.
The term “Depression Glass” refers to glass made from about 1928 to 1940, mass produced, and available in colors and often in crystal or white. Depression glass is particularly popular to collect because it is beautiful and it is fun to select a pattern, and then seek out all the pieces you need to have a full dinner set or one of every item.
The term “Etched” means a recessed design on glass. Etchings apply a design to glass where the glass is coated with wax and a design is traced through the wax. The glass is treated with acid. The acid can eat through the glass where the design was traced on the but it cannot dissolve the wax. When the wax is removed the design shows as inset into the glass surface. There are many ways to make the designs. The common point is that the design is recessed into the glass.
Story by:
Kathy Eickholt, Cat Lady Kate's Elegant and Depression Glass
The entire story available on the source link below.
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