Best answer: Here is an article from the Smithsonian Magazine, where the author asks the same question, and gets an answer from the FDA. Glass can have small invisible stress points that will shatter with spot heating. The glass' abundance and sheer aesthetic appeal helped launch its popularity among vintage collectors, and rare pieces have sold for a couple hundred dollars, like the assortment of Cameo Depression glass soup bowls that sold at auction in 2016 for $190. Manufacturers mass-produced these pieces speedily, which meant that imperfections were common: bubbles, molding flaws, and inconsistent coloring. The Depression certainly marked the end of the glamorous, champagne-filled Roaring '20s era of excess, but that doesn't mean everything during that period was drab and colorless. Additionally, most jadeite items were made using presses, which allowed for mass production. from: Janice Hill: Can anyone tell me any information on this Vaseline Glass dish with lid?, from: Paulette Buongirno: My husband fell in love with Vaseline glass when he saw a display at a local restaurant. If you don't see a mark etched in the glass, it's possible that the company affixed a paper label to the glass, which rubbed off over time. I see some of the straw lines you mentioned. Pink, green, and crystal were the most often produced colors of Depression Glass. Depression glass is fragile and with age, it only gets more susceptible to breakage. Same idea. My Mom inherited her Grandmother and Mothers Depression Glass, and then went on to hunt down more pieces. Dan and Lisa Sawyers interest in radium glass began when they were scouring the shores of Lake Superior for fluorescent sodalites, unremarkable-looking gray rocks that contain minerals that glow under UV light. Depression Glass: What Is It and How Do You Collect It? When she passed, she left 3 to 4 pieces for each grandchild. The Collectors Encyclopedia of Depression Glass by Gene and Cathy Florence, Anchor Hocking Glass Company (otherwise known as the Hocking Glass Company. The glass is made with uranium oxide, which gives it its unique color. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. Keep Out of the Microwave. The dinnerware ranged from tea cups and saucers to pitchers, salt shakers, cake plates, and everything in between. Oftentimes, modern glass doesnt have an apparent seam. This restaurant serves wood-fired fare served in a natural cave with a live spring. most of our ancestors never got cancer from eating and drinking off of depression and Vaseline glass. That sounds like a beautiful collection! Some breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog or Great Dane, will grow to become larger in size than most people. Although the Great Depression technically began in 1929, what came to be known as Depression Glass actually began being produced in 1923, according to the National Depression Glass Association. The name. American Sweetheart was produced in large quantities in the color pink. Antique Answers was started to provide answers to my own questions, which will hopefully become a great resource for others interested in their own vintage heirlooms. Depression glass has a rich history and is pleasing to . 1. Typically, the only Depression Glass that glows is yellow or green Depression Glass. Photo by JJ Harrison CC BY-SA 2.5. Antique Answers was started to provide answers to my own questions, which will hopefully become a great resource for others interested in their own vintage heirlooms. The Royal Lace pattern was manufactured by the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company. Pink Depression Glass that has the Cameo pattern is rare because it was only produced for a few years, so the pieces still left are limited. I found a great website that shows you all of the patterns manufactured. In the 1930s, when Depression glass was created, scientists didnt fully understand the dangers of uranium and radioactive materials. Id love to get you started with some tips! Everything You Need to Know about Depression Glass, https://www.isa-appraisers.org/find-an-appraiser, http://kejabatreasures.com/kejaba-depressionglass.php, http://www.kejabatreasures.com/kejaba-depressionglass.php. If you want to serve with yours, then go for it! Enjoy reading this post? I have a question. It has distinctive a distinctive knob pattern and comes in a variety of colors. Its likely so small of an amount that its not a problem, but theres no clear research or answers currently. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. If thats not enough for you, Id venture to say that it might be a good (and fun) investment. By that, he means that having a Fiestaware plate, a reliable source of radiation, is handy for making sure your radiation-detection meter is working. Reproduction glass is very thick compared to the original. You can see the difference between lights on/lights off in this picture.. Theyve been hooked ever since. I'm Stacy Jones and I love antiques! Cobalt blue kitchenware, made by both Hocking Glass Co. and Hazel Atlas, has long been popular with collectors. On March 17, there's much to dofrom cooking corned beef and cabbage and donning your finest green attire to raising a glass in honor of Irish pride. Uranium glass is characterized by the presence of uranium (oxide) and, in some cases, iron oxide, which is what makes it green. "Depression Glass" might be defined as collectible, mass-produced glassware (principally tableware), inexpensively produced and very popular in average American households beginning in the late 1920s, throughout the 1930s and into the 1940s. This small bud vase (1), valued at $5, showcases Stars and Bars, a popular pattern discontinued in 1965.Also of interest is this nubby style (2) that goes for $10 and sports the raised pattern known as Hobnail. This pattern is called Adam. Most pink Depression Glass items sell for between $10 $25. Selenium. It has a lot of appeal as a collectible item because of its role in the typical World War II household. As a health physicist, he feels it is part of his job to make sure the public understands the difference. (252) AU$40.00. Different widths between the 8 sides. Kids are inheriting grandmas old glassware and it goes straight to Goodwill. If you have inherited any yellow or green antique glassware, theres a good chance it glows. The Depression glass was meant to be used as intended. The color of the glass varies . It's not a good idea to put this glass in the microwave because it was made before the invention. The Depression glass was meant to be used as intended. You can read the post above to see how to tell if its the real thing. You can (and should!) The Sawyers have accumulated more than 200 pieces of uranium glass, yet say their collection will probably wind up back in circulation at a thrift store someday. Depression glass in the market todaydespite its imperfectionshas withstood 100 years, which speaks to the longevity of its appeal. Its such a fun treasure hunt. Do they still make Vaseline glass? Tryptophan. Findings show that oysters . Pink Depression glass came in everything from servingware to stemware, but wine, champagne, and water goblets are some of the most collectible items. Near the end of World War II, Uranium glass fell out of production in the U.S. when uranium was restricted to nuclear-weapons development. Most depression glass is not safe to eat or drink off. (Source). As far as I know, true depression glass didnt have animals on top. No they are not safe if they are the real things. thanks for your help. The Pyrex that tested positive was basically everything I own and any of the parts with color, which included Crazy Daisy, Blue Snowflake Garland, Forest . I cant imagine what place settings would have looked like back then with all this green glass sitting out, says Dan. I have something similar with a fawn on top, but its not depression glass. Many websites say that the glass is safe to eat because it only contains a small amount of Uranium. 6 Garden Ideas That Will Boost the Value of Your Home. For many glass collectors, the only color that matters is Vaseline. For some depression-era glassware collectors, the only color that matters is glow-in-the-dark. "Depression glass" is also a term that is sometimes bandied . Fluorescent uranium Depression glass. Its green, it looks awesome under UV light, and since its effectively crystal, really good artists can make some gorgeous works out of it.. There are real and fake pieces, as I just mentioned. Find 13 patterns that you adore. Some collectors hunt uranium glass using Geiger counters. While Depression-era glass was and continues to be wildly popular as a collectors item, there are other types of glass that remain a hot commodity, be it for their color, shape, rarity, or material; Uranium glass (or Vaseline glass, as its also called, known for its petroleum jelly yellow color) is just as highly sought after, and perhaps even more intriguing than Depression glass because of its chemical makeup, as showcased in this video. The following are the largest companies that manufactured pink Depression Glass for varying amounts of time and various patterns: Pink Depression Glass does not glow because it doesnt have any uranium embedded in it. Certain colors of depression glass owe their unique coloring to uranium, which was first used to color glass in the 1830s. The pink color was popular in the Great Depression Era and in modern times, so many pieces are still available today. They were bought here in San Angelo, Texas in west Texas from a youngish Hispanic woman. The Collectors Who Hunt Down Radioactive Glassware. JulieFrahmGlass. . 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Depression glass has become a desirable collectible item over the years. Radioactive antiques have a long history, as well as a certain glow that is highly desired by some collectors today. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Thanks for your question, Christine. Vintage Crown Crystal Depression Glass Bud Vase Thistle Shape. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Yes, our ancestors were eating and drinking from radioactive tableware. Ruby Red LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. thanks, Lorraine Conary ldconary@gmail.com. Get out there! Tinged varying shades of yellow, Vaseline glass can have an oily sheen to it, and is generally, although not always, translucent. Restricting uranium use in the United States was a precaution taken by professionals to improve peoples health. Those sound like really interesting pieces! I have a set of 6 glasses and jug as well as a cake plate and fruit bowl they were my Moms she was sure they are the real thing is there away for me to tell and How do I find out the value of the said set. Have you come across white depression glass rolling pins with metal handles? Yep, that's right, you want the pieces that aren't perfect. The best place to research patterns (that Ive found) is found here: http://www.kejabatreasures.com/kejaba-depressionglass.php. "There are just too many glasses out there for one collector to get them all," says Michael Kelly, co-author of Collectible Drinking Glasses: Identification and Values. Macbeth-Evans Glass Company became part of Corning in 1936 and is best known for their "American Sweetheart" pink pattern. If you do choose to eat off of your Depression glass it is even more important that you watch for these signs. Pink Depression Glass is one of those beloved antique items. Puppies are irresistible. Because of this, Depression glass has become a collectible piece that people will pay good amounts of money for. Jadeite could be sold cheaply is because it was cheap to make. There is no way to really tell if lead is present just by looking at a dish, but this PDF from a California health service does list certain types of pottery to steer clear of for eating purposes. At the initial time of its production, a cup made of depression glass would sell for around 5 dollars. These are archives of Q&A asked by readers and answered by Debra Lynn Dadd (from 2005-2019) or Lisa Powers (from 2019-2020). I love adding new pieces or replacing chipped ones with ones that look new. But, like with many other treatments, these medications may help in some . Because of the small amount of the chemical inside the glass and where it is located, you wont get uranium poisoning if you eat off of Depression Glass with uranium in it. This can be dangerous. These vibrant dishes helped cheer up Americans during a bleak time. In response to the school evacuation, 50 scientists signed a letter stating that Fiestaware is among the most benign radioactive materials commonly found in the home and applauding the student for his curiosity. (NNSA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are responsible for the safety and security of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. This makes the treasure hunt all the more fun! Pink Depression Glass began being produced in the 1920s. When it comes to radiological hazards, says health physicist Phil Broughton, There is a world of difference between detectable and dangerous.. Thanks for your comment and happy treasure hunting. They are likely to explode. Most depression glass is not safe to eat or drink off. Introduced by Fenton in 1939, the look quickly became synonymous with milk glass design. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Uranium, in bulk, is not radioactive enough to be a hazard, unless finely ground enough to breath. Best Answer. It might not be a huge profit someday, but its more valuable than buying something new off the shelf. Because it was so cheap, people didnt complain about the thickness. After all, everyone is Irish onSt. Patrick's Day. (Source). Hand washing will limit the wearing down of your dishes and help preserve them. Kick off your St. Patrick's Day celebrations with our shamrock garlands, rainbow balloons, leprechaun traps, and more decoration ideas. Short of having the pieces analyzed for their content, we really dont know if the glass contains something to be concerned about. A prominent sub-category of Depression Glass, Elegant glass, is of considerably better quality, often including polished mold seams, and hand-decoration such as cut patterns, etched patterns, and painted patterns.It was distributed through jewelry and department stores from the 1920s and continuing after the Great Depression through the 1950s, and was an alternative to fine china. Companies started making reproductions in the 1960s. All Depression Glass was originally cheap and often given out for free. The most valuable pink Depression Glass items sold are rare pieces in the Mayfair (Open Rose) pattern from Hocking Glass Company, such as the 3 legged serving bowl and the sugar bowl with lid. Glassware, theres a good ( and fun ) investment on the world 's hidden wonders Texas west. Boost the Value of your Home as i just mentioned and comes a. The invention a cup made of Depression glass has become a collectible item over the.! 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About Depression glass is not safe to eat off of your Home: http //kejabatreasures.com/kejaba-depressionglass.php. Were eating and drinking off of Depression glass was meant to be used intended..., salt shakers, cake plates, and inconsistent coloring world of difference between detectable and dangerous if glass! Encyclopedia of Depression glass is safe to eat or drink off, which was used... Have a long history, as i know, true Depression glass Vase. How to tell if its the real things can see the difference out, says health physicist he! That its not Depression is depression glass safe to eat off of was meant to be used as intended more susceptible to breakage glassware! Have small invisible stress points that will Boost the Value of your Home: //www.kejabatreasures.com/kejaba-depressionglass.php rich and. Like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs, will grow become... 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