The Great Depression

While I have an eclectic collection of vintage and contemporary glass and crystal, my favorite kind of glass to collect is depression glass. Depression glass was manufactured during the Great Depression and primarily used as giveaways to encourage consumers to by a product or patron businesses.  It comes in beautiful colors and a wide variety of patterns and pieces.  It became quite collectible over the years, and some pieces are very rare and valuable.  Most of the pieces today are valued between $5-10 each.  It is relatively easy to come by with websites like E-Bay and Etsy.  Interest in the glass has declined considerably over the years as it does not have the draw of today's high technology gadgets.

Iris  Herringbone Collection

Nevertheless, I persist in growing my collection.  If something as fragile as glass can survive close to one hundred years through moves, yard sales, flea markets and the thrift shop, I want it in my house.  Some collectors only take pieces that are absolutely perfect with no chips or cracks, but that does not really matter to me.  To me that makes it that much more valuable because at some point in its existence it withstood a test of its durability and survived. 

I also love to see pieces randomly come together.  There are dozens of patterns and colors of depression glass and you can pick it up in the most random places.  You can grow your whole collection around one treasured piece.  One of my favorite sets came from three different places and two different states.  They now sit together in a room hundreds of miles from where they began their journey.  As a good friend told me they are now home, adding a little beauty to my day with their unique glow, waiting for the next treasure to make its way to join them.