Tuesday, January 14, 2014

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?  

11 comments:

  1. will you post a photo of your whole table together please. This is such a fun idea.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Tish, thanks for checking out this post. I actually blogged about my Valentine's Table last year as well, and posted more pics then. Here is the link if you want to check it out: http://theharrissisters.blogspot.com/2013/01/valentine-decor-galore.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful post, love the history and you have a gorgeous collection. My readers would love this, my blog is all about "a modern home with a vintage touch." Would love you to join my History & Home Link Party, it happens weekly, Tue-Fri at We Call It Junkin.com Take care - Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  4. Though I have only a few pieces, depression glass is one of my favorites. On your table I especially liked the glasses with their beautiful pattern. Thanks for sharing tidbits about the glass.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Saw this on Tablescape Thursday and LOVE depression glass... it looks so wonderful for Valentines!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Visiting from the BNOTP party. Love your depression glass, perfect for Valentine's day, too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love, love, love all the depression glass! (I collect green and pink.) I enjoyed reading about the history, my mother had told me the same thing years ago. And a funny story, she got her collection by actually finding them. Someone had thrown them away in an old riverbed in the 50's. She and and my dad grabbed them, cleaned them up and now they grace her home. To my amazement, she has quite of collection - in both pink and green too!
    Thanks for sharing - love your Valentine table!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your pink depression glass is very pretty. I enjoyed reading the history too! Your depression glass is perfect for a Valentine's day tablescape. I would have liked to see a whole table set with your collection.
    Blessings My Friend,

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am a Harris sister also so, when I saw your blog it caught my attention. My Harris sister lives in Oxford, N.C. And sadly we have lost a sister from our threesome.
    Enjoyed this post on beautiful depression glass.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful...love this glassware. My mother also has a large collection of it, and I never tire of looking at it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks, ladies! I'm so glad you enjoyed this post. Ain't decorating for Valentine's Day grand? Please continue to follow us here on the blog either via email subscription or on Facebook for LOTS more!!

    ReplyDelete

You Might Also Be Interested In