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Depression glass sale and auctions in the
Antique Web!
Collecting
Depression Glass – Where to
Start
By
Murray Hughes
Okay, so you’ve been bitten by the Depression Glass bug, and
those pretty patterns and pastel colors beckon you from the
shelves of an antique dealer’s shop, a friend’s home, or maybe
you’ve even discovered this special glassware on the Internet.
How ever it’s come about that you’ve developed a yen for
Depression Glass, you need to know where and how to start
collecting it – unless you’re made of money, have oodles of
time on your hands, and don’t care whether you get the real
thing or not. But if you’re like most of us, and those things
don’t apply to you, here are a few tips to get you started on
the road to what may very well become a fascinating and
lifelong hobby.
Step 1 – Buy the latest edition of the book, The Collector’s
Encyclopedia of Depression Glass by Gene Florence that boasts
a recommendation from the National Depression Glass
Association. Mr. Florence’s comprehensive book covers all the
known patterns with photographs and current price listings,
short histories of the manufacturers, information on detecting
fakes and reproduction pieces, along with the production dates
and colors of each design. All this, including the author’s
own personal anecdotes about this addictive hobby, make this
book not only one of the most useful tools from which to learn
about Depression Glass, but turns learning about the subject
into entertainment, as well.
Step 2 – Go to glass shows and conventions, join Depression
Glass clubs, and visit antique shops in your area that carry
it. It’s imperative to learn about this type of glass from
hands-on knowledge in order to get a true feel of how it looks
“in person.” Soon you’ll learn many, if not all, the colors
and patterns, and be able to distinguish reproductions – most
commonly made in Mexico and India – from the genuine article.
Color, patterns, weight, mold markings – even the bubbles – of
real Depression Glass hold a uniqueness all their own.
Step 3 – Subscribe to magazines, newsletters, and other
periodicals that focus on collecting Depression Glass. The
National Depression Glass Association offers an online
newsletter subscription on its site at www.ndga.net, and
Collector’s News, a print magazine, frequently features
articles of interest to Depression Glass fans.
Step 4 – Meet and make friends with an expert! There’s nothing
like having a mentor to guide you when you’re in the process
of learning something new – especially about Depression Glass.
Such tips as learning to use your tactile sense of feel to
detect chips and cracks, holding a piece up to the light to
help determine its authenticity, and other helpful information
usually come from personal relationships. Attending shows,
joining clubs, and visiting antique shops all provide
opportunities to make friends with people who’ve been involved
in collecting Depression Glass – some for as long as 40 or 50
years.
The most important thing to remember when you begin your
Depression Glass hobby, however, is to have fun! Even if you
do make a mistake, get occasionally “rooked” with a fake, or
buy or sell something you later regret, you’ll always have the
experience of appreciating an interesting and fascinating
hobby. And then, when you do make the find of your life –
well, that’s what it’s all about! All those “mistakes” soon
become laughable, fond memories when you proudly display your
wonderful Depression Glass discovery!
So get out there and make your start today or look for the
next beautiful piece to add to your growing collection.
Until next time,
Murray Hughes http://www.DepressionGlassSecrets.com
http://www.depressionglasssecrets.com/DPweb-articles/collecting-depression-glass.htm
If you enjoyed this article by Murray Hughes, then visit
http://www.DepressionGlassSecrets.com now and enrol in the
free Depression Glass course "The 5 Essential Steps To
Becoming A Depression Glass Collector" For AOL users:
Depression Glass Secrets
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