Pattern: Royal Lace

The Hazel-Atlas Glass Company began producing Royal Lace during 1934 as a set consisting of 28 pieces. Today, Royal Lace holds honor of being some of costliest Depression glass that collectors covet. Hazel-Atlas manufactured Royal Lace in crystal (clear) and in five colors: green, yellow, pink, blue, and burgundy. The most desirable color consistently proves to be blue, called Ritz Blue by company, which actually came about as an economic accident.

When General Mills ended a deal with Hazel-Atlas’ using blue-colored glass in a Shirley Temple promotional campaign in 1936, Hazel-Atlas simply poured leftover vats of molten blue glass into its existing Royal Lace molds to avoid wasting it. An instant success resulted. Blue Royal Lace Depression Glass reigns to this day as 1 of most sought after and is now 1 of most expensive of all other Depression Glass patterns.

These samplings of interesting Depression Glass trivia make collecting it all that more appealing. After all, how many other pieces of glassware can be found in people’s homes that come with a ready-made story – at least those people in median income range (We’re not talking Tiffany or Lalique here!)? And these have been gleaned from a mere sampling of plethora of Depression Glass designs that have survived over years. Imagine what stories can be found!

The next time you gaze at that lovely piece of Depression glass resting in window of your favorite antique dealer or – if you’re lucky – sitting on a dusty shelf at a flea market just waiting for you to discover it, remember: Whatever pattern it is, a good chance exists that it, too, will have a fascinating history.

So take a chance. Buy it! Until next time,

Murray Hughes http://www.DepressionGlassSecrets.com

http://www.depressionglasssecrets.com/DPweb-articles/depression-glass-patterns.htm

Windsor, coincidentally another pattern from Jeanette, first reached Depression-era consumers in 1936. Because of its popularity – which translated to “sales” – Jeanette continued to produce Windsor for next 11 years, completing its run in 1946. Also available in 37 pieces, Windsor could be bought in six colors: green, pink, blue, ruby, dark green, and crystal. The appeal of Windsor design lay in its similarity to cut-glass look that became so popular toward end of 1930s and lasted well into 40s.

These two patterns claim a place as classics among collectors, but so do many of other 90 designs that lie alphabetically between Adam and Windsor. Hopefully, your appetite has been whetted enough to learn about at least some of remaining patterns – like Avocado, very first pattern, made in 1923; or English Hobnail, first manufactured in 1928 and continuing on until 1983; or Radiance, a Depression-era glassware made well enough that New Martinsville Glass Company eschewed typical designs used to cover up flaws in other patterns; or … list goes on.

Both Adam and Windsor patterns, classics among collectors, are but two of many patterns coveted by Depression Glass fans world over. Hopefully this bit of information about a fraction of 90 designs that lie between will suffice to whet appetites of novice Depression Glass aficionados enough to further their knowledge of rest. And once accomplishing this, patterns from remaining dozen or so glassware companies that produced Depression Glass await investigation. It’s easy to see why Depression Glass collectors become collectors for life!

Until next time,

Murray Hughes http://www.DepressionGlassSecrets.com

http://www.depressionglasssecrets.com/DPweb-articles/depression-glass-atow.htm