Collecting Children's Depression Era Glassware

During the Depression in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s jobs and money were scarce. Every day household items that were once regular conveniences became luxuries. Glassware was something most families could afford even during this difficult time and the wares produced became known as Depression glass. Today these pieces are sought after by collectors and many of the collectibles are in the form of children's Depression era glassware.

Children's Depression era glassware is as beautiful as their larger counterparts but made just for kids. Most come in the form of tea sets, service for four, with creamers, sugar dishes, cups, saucers and plates. Famous makers include McKee, Anchor Hocking and Jeanette. The wares were manufactured fairly cheaply thus becoming an affordable toy during hard times. The sets came in pastels, amber, greens, lemon yellow, burgundy, hot pink and every other color in the crayon box.

There were several ways that this glassware found its way into American households on a tight budget. 'Dish Nite' was one popular promotion. Local neighborhood movie houses would offer one piece for a nickel with entry to the movie house. Many families took advantage of the offer and after several trips collected entire sets. Another promotion of children's Depression era glassware was through certain soap manufacturers. For each soap purchase, the soap company would give away a free piece of glassware.

When the Depression ended, families recovered jobs and income. The glassware that had been a cheap luxury during the Depression became less desired. The wares were reminders of a very difficult time and some pieces were thrown away or given to local charities.

Today, children's Depression era glassware is collected as pieces of American history. Some collectors enjoy the glass for monetary value but many more enjoy the history behind each piece. Collecting the pieces is like owning a small slice of the lives of grandparents or even parents who lived through this era. Many of the original pieces are very difficult to find on the market. Hunting is done to search for pieces that may be the missing link to an entire set of the glassware. Flea markets, antique shops, classifieds, and the internet are all used by collectors.

Children's Depression Era Glassware Sets

McKee Children's Laurel, Jadite
Laurel is an uncommon pattern of children's Depression era glassware because it wasn't made in the usual transparent glass. These pieces were made by McKee Glass in the 1930s. The child's set consisted of 14 pieces: creamer, sugar, 4 cups, 4 saucers and 4 plates. They came in white, green, ivory or green with colored rims, and ivory or green with Scotty dog decal. Most collectors recognize Laurel by the Scottish accents. On today's market a creamer and sugar from this set sells for $150, while the sugar alone sells around $75.

Jeanette Children's Cherry Blossom Delphite
The cherry blossom pattern was made from 1930 to 1939 in miniature for children in pink and delphite blue. These are some of the most desired children's Depression era glassware, distinguished by two different boxes. One box is a corrugated cardboard shipping box and the other is a display box with slots for each piece. The set had 14 pieces: creamer, sugar, 4 cups, 4 saucers and 4 plates. Today cups from this set sell for $50 each, plates for $15, sugar for $60 and a complete Cherry Blossom Delphite sells around $415.

Jeanette Children's Doric & Pansy Pink
This set of children's Depression era glassware is highly desired by collectors and hard to find. It came in a traditional 14 piece set called "Pretty Polly Party Dishes" in ultramarine and pink. They were only made for about one year from 1937 to 1938. Collectors pay about $100 for creamer and sugar and about $15 for a cup and saucer in today's market.

Hazel Children's Little Hostess
This favorite children's set was actually made in the early 1950s but most collectors consider them to be Depression era glassware. The Little Hostess sets came in a wide variety of colors including blue, green, pink, yellow, burgundy, bright pink, lemon yellow, rust, gold, turquoise, chartreuse, beige, aqua, black and white. They were Modernite Platonite which meant the colors were fired on and allowed the diverse choices. They came in a traditional tea set with 14 pieces. A full set today costs $400 in the box.

Reproductions Pieces & How to Spot Fakes

Reproduction pieces are often made over seas and sold to wholesalers who sell them, knowingly or unknowingly, as the original product. They can be useful to fill a set while searching for an original piece but this is a challenging part of the hobby. Here are some good rules of thumb for differentiating original children's Depression era glassware from fakes.

First, reproduction pieces tend to be heavier and thicker than the originals. This is useful if you have an original on hand for comparison. Second, many reproductions have a greasy or oily feel. Companies who make fakes treat the molds with silicone so the glass comes out easy. The silicone leaves an oily residue on pieces even after you wash them. Third, fakes are often badly molded with missing sections of patterns, as if erased. And lastly, pattern of reproduction pieces are often crude, not lifelike and delicate as on originals.

There are more resources available depending on the specific pattern you are researching but these general rules are good to keep in mind when you start collecting. The pieces and patterns that made Depression era glassware distinct are treasures from American history. In miniature children's sets, they are endearing reminders that even during hard times "play" was still important. Whether you start collecting children's Depression era glassware for its value, its history or just for fun the hobby can open up a world of fun.