Adam to Windsor – What’s that?Written by Murray Hughes
In Depression Glass parlance, “from Adam to Windsor” refers to alphabetical order in which collector’s guides typically list all patterns of seven largest glass companies that produced this now-collectible glassware. Some of these companies made lucky (or smart) decision to re-tool with machinery necessary to produce this new, mass-produced glassware before stock market crash of 1929, which enabled them not only to survive Great Depression, but also to continue onward to perfecting and expanding their product lines.Hazel-Atlas, Hocking, Indiana, Federal, U.S. Glass, MacBeth-Evans, and Jeanette made up these seven glass companies, and between them all, 92 designs came about to brighten lives of people living just before, during, and just after grim days of Great Depression. U.S. Glass was actually a combination of companies that rallied together to survive economic downturn. For sake of brevity, following information touches upon only first and last of these 92 designs. Hopefully, reader will go on to research remaining designs to further expand their knowledge of these brilliant designs that came from minds of artists in those days – without use of computer-aided technology! As one might assume, first of these patterns (alphabetically, not chronologically) turned out to be Adam, produced by Jeanette Glass Company for three years, beginning in 1932. Jeanette’s Adam pattern embraced Art Deco movement of time period with its geometrical squares and conical shapes that beautifully complemented flower-and-leaf floral motifs. Produced in green, pink, yellow, dark green, and crystal (clear), Jeanette manufactured utilized Adam design in 37 pieces, and many reproductions of this design find their way into marketplace – notably, a yellow butter dish notorious among knowledgeable dealers and collectors as a fake.
| | Collecting Depression Glass – Where to Start.Written by Murray Hughes
Okay, so you’ve been bitten by Depression Glass bug, and those pretty patterns and pastel colors beckon you from shelves of an antique dealer’s shop, a friend’s home, or maybe you’ve even discovered this special glassware on 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 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 road to what may very well become a fascinating and lifelong hobby.Step 1 – Buy latest edition of book, The Collector’s Encyclopedia of Depression Glass by Gene Florence that boasts a recommendation from National Depression Glass Association. Mr. Florence’s comprehensive book covers all known patterns with photographs and current price listings, short histories of manufacturers, information on detecting fakes and reproduction pieces, along with production dates and colors of each design. All this, including author’s own personal anecdotes about this addictive hobby, make this book not only one of most useful tools from which to learn about Depression Glass, but turns learning about 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, colors and patterns, and be able to distinguish reproductions – most commonly made in Mexico and India – from genuine article. Color, patterns, weight, mold markings – even bubbles – of real Depression Glass hold a uniqueness all their own.
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