One Man's Trash: Pink Depression Glass

In today's edition of "One Man's Trash" we take a look at some of my favorite collectible glassware. For the past several years now, I have consistently sought out pink Depression Glass to add to my Valentine's Day table decor.  Each year, I usually find a piece or two that I am especially keen on, and this year was no exception.  Here's a quick look at some of the Depression Glass gracing my Valentine's table this year. 

To give you a little background, Depression Glass was produced in large quantities by many different glassware companies across the US around the time of the Great Depression.  In most cases, it was given away for free or distributed at a very low cost, as an incentive to attract customers into businesses (such as movie theaters) or to buy certain products (such as cereal or other food items) at a time when there wasn't much disposable money in most households.  

For the most part, Depression Glass pieces were not especially high quality items.  Remember, they were mass produced and distributed.  However, their collectibility derives from the fact that these pieces are scarce today.  Obviously, they are no longer produced, and due to the fragile nature of Depression Glass, many pieces didn't survive over the years.  Yes, you can still find them on the market, but expect to pay a pretty penny in some cases, especially if it's a rare pattern or color- oh yes, there were many more colors produced than just pink, although it happens to be my personal favorite.  

So there's your quick overview.  I love learning about the history of vintage items.  They have certainly lived a life before us.  Kind of makes you wonder exactly where they came from.  Did they live in a housewife's cupboard in Michigan, Maine, or Missouri?  Or grace the dinner table in Louisiana, Texas, or Colorado?  We may never know those kinds of answers, but it sure is fun to think about, isn't it?