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
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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