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During the Great Depression of the 1930s, many families could no longer afford luxuries like fine china and expensive home goods. Glass manufacturers, who had previously relied on sales of expensive cut crystal glass, began mass-producing colourful glassware that cost far less to make. This glassware, known as depression glass, was produced in the United States and Australia and was either given away as promotional items or sold at a low cost. In Australia, depression glass was produced in Sydney by companies such as Crown Crystal Glass Co., James A. Jobling & Co., and Cospak Glass. It was typically made in green and pink and was often plain, although some pieces featured patterns. Today, Australian depression glass is highly collectible, with rarer patterned pieces selling for hundreds of dollars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Period of production | 1920s and 1930s |
| Place of production | Australia |
| Producers | Crown Crystal Glass Co, James A Jobling & Co, Cospak Glass |
| Colours | Green, pink, blue |
| Patterns | Floral, lace, starburst, scalloped edges |
| Type of glass | Pressed glass, moulded glass |
| Marketed to | Housewives |
| Purpose | Everyday-use glass |
| Price | Low |
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What You'll Learn
Australian Depression Glass was produced in the 1920s and 1930s
Australian Depression Glass was produced and sold in Australia during the 1920s and 1930s, a period known as the Great Depression. It was a type of glassware that was mass-produced and sold at low prices to boost sales and attract customers during a time of economic hardship.
The production of Australian Depression Glass began in the early 1930s, with local manufacturers in cities like Sydney producing glassware similar in style and quality to American-made Depression glass. Some of the most well-known manufacturers of Australian Depression Glass include Crown Crystal Glass, James A Jobling & Co, and Cospak Glass. They produced a range of glassware, including bowls, plates, vases, and other decorative items.
Australian Depression Glass was typically made in bright colours such as pink, green, and blue, and was characterised by its simple, elegant designs. It was produced using mass production techniques, with liquid glass being piped into moulds to create various shapes and patterns. The glass was also often marked by imperfections, such as air bubbles and uneven saturation in colour, due to the quick manufacturing speed.
Today, Australian Depression Glass is highly collectible, with certain patterns and colours being more valuable to collectors. These items are sought after for their unique beauty and historical significance, with prices ranging from USD 22 to 391 for antique pieces.
Australian Depression Glass from the 1920s and 1930s can still be found and purchased today, adding a touch of vintage charm to modern homes. Its accessibility and affordability during challenging economic times have left a lasting impact on Australian households and the glassware market.
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It was made cheaply and sold at low prices
During the Great Depression, unemployment soared and family finances took a hit, so little luxuries like fine china and expensive home goods were no longer affordable for many. Glass manufacturers, who had previously relied on sales of expensive cut crystal glass, could no longer depend on such sales. To stay in business and keep their employees working, they turned to mass-producing colourful glassware that cost far less to make.
Depression glass was made quickly and cheaply, with mass production techniques developed during and after the war allowing for the complete mechanisation of the production process. By piping liquid glass into moulds, and using bright colours to disguise the lower quality of the glass, manufacturers could produce a large number of glass items in a short space of time. For example, over 35 pretty glass items could be produced per minute, and a 20-piece dinner service could be bought for $2 between 1930 and 1935.
The inexpensive glassware was sold at low prices to consumers, with a 12-piece set of dinnerware costing around $2. It was also given away as promotional items at movie theatres, grocery stores, and other businesses. This helped to boost sales and attract customers during a time of economic hardship.
Today, Australian Depression Glass is highly collectible, with rarer patterned pieces selling for hundreds of dollars. However, it is important to note that when it was originally produced in the 1920s and 1930s, it was intended to be a cheap and accessible product for households struggling financially.
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It was often given away as promotional items
Depression glass is a type of glassware produced in the United States and Australia during the 1920s and 1930s, known as the Great Depression. It was often given away as promotional items in movie theatres, grocery stores, and other businesses or sold at a low cost to consumers. During the Great Depression, unemployment soared and family finances took a hit, so little luxuries like fine china and expensive home goods were no longer affordable. Glass manufacturers, who had previously relied on sales of expensive cut crystal glass, began mass-producing colourful glassware at a lower cost. This made glassware more accessible to families struggling financially.
Depression glass was often marketed to housewives as everyday-use glassware. It was produced using mass production techniques, with liquid glass being piped into moulds, and bright colours were used to disguise the lower quality of the glass. Over 35 glass items could be produced per minute, and a 20-piece dinner service could be purchased for $2 between 1930 and 1935. The glass was also often given away with the purchase of a product or service or as a prize in a contest.
The production of Depression Glass in Australia began in the early 1930s, with local manufacturers producing glassware similar in style and quality to American-made Depression glass. Many of these manufacturers were based in Sydney, including well-known companies such as Crown Crystal Glass, James A Jobling & Co, and Cospak Glass. Australian Depression glass was typically produced in bright colours such as pink, green, and blue, although it was also available in other colours like amber and crystal. The glassware included bowls, plates, vases, and other decorative items.
Today, Australian Depression Glass is highly collectible, with certain patterns and colours being more valuable than others. The popularity of Depression Glass in Australia declined in the mid-1930s as the country recovered economically from the Depression. However, the glassware has maintained its appeal among collectors, with its imperfections and unique characteristics contributing to its collectible charm.
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It was usually green or pink
Depression glass is a type of glassware that was mass-produced and sold at low prices during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The production of Depression Glass in Australia began in the early 1930s, with local manufacturers producing glassware similar in style and quality to American-made glassware.
Depression glass was typically made from machine-pressed glass, a cheaper method of production compared to hand-blown glass. It was produced in a variety of colours, including pink, green, amber, blue, frosted, and crystal. In Australia, however, Depression glass was only made in green and pink, while other countries like the US and England produced variations on these colours.
The Australian glassware tends to be quite plain, while American glass often featured intricate patterns pressed into the glass. The Australian glass still displays the imperfections that are typical of Depression glass, such as bubbles and uneven saturation of colour, due to the quick manufacturing speed. These imperfections can help distinguish authentic Depression glass from modern reproductions.
Today, Depression glass is highly collectible, with rarer patterned pieces fetching high prices. Some popular patterns found on Australian glass include "Mayfair," featuring a scalloped edge and a floral design, and "Royal Lace," with a lace-like design and scalloped edge. These patterns were produced in a variety of colours, including pink and green, as well as amber.
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It is now collectible
Depression glass is now highly collectible, with some pieces selling for hundreds of dollars. The glassware has remained popular among collectors, and today, Australian Depression Glass is highly sought-after. The popularity of Depression Glass in Australia began to decline in the mid-1930s as the country recovered economically from the Depression. However, it is now prized by collectors worldwide.
Depression glass was produced in a variety of colours, including pink, green, amber, blue, frosted, and crystal, and was made in a range of patterns and styles. The more unique or less-produced colour, the more valuable it is to today's collectors. Designs manufactured in smaller quantities, such as Hazel-Atlas Glass Company's blue Royal Lace, may sell for hundreds of dollars. The rarer patterned depression glass pieces now sell for high prices. Some of the most popular patterns include "Mayfair", "Royal Lace", and "Queen Mary".
Depression glass was made quickly and cheaply and was marketed to housewives as everyday-use glassware. It was often given away as promotional items in movie theatres, grocery stores, and other businesses or sold at a low cost to consumers. The inexpensive glassware was mass-produced and sold at low prices during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Due to the quick manufacturing speed, the glass often had imperfections such as bubbles, uneven saturation in colour, and raised seams where the piece came out of the mould. These imperfections contribute to the collectible charm of Depression glass and may reveal that a piece is authentic rather than a reproduction.
Australian Depression Glass was produced by manufacturers such as Crown Crystal Glass, James A Jobling & Co, and Cospak Glass, and items included bowls, plates, vases, and other decorative items. In Australia, Depression Glass was only made in green and pink, whereas in the US and England, other colours were made. Australian glass tends to be quite plain, whereas US glass has many patterns pressed into it.
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Frequently asked questions
Depression glass is a type of glassware produced in the United States and Australia during the 1920s and 1930s, known as the Great Depression. It was given away as promotional items or sold at a low cost to consumers.
In Australia, depression glass was made in green and pink. In the US and England, other colours were made, including variations of green and pink.
Australian depression glass tends to be quite plain. However, some popular patterns include "Mayfair", which features a floral design, and "Royal Lace", which has a lace-like design.
Australian depression glass was made from machine-pressed glass, which was a cheaper method of production compared to hand-blown glass.
Australian depression glass was made quickly and cheaply, and often features bubbles and other imperfections. It is also heavier than glass produced today and usually has no maker's mark.
