The Alluring Appeal Of Vintage Blue Depression Glass Dinnerware

Blue depression glass dinnerware sets are highly sought-after by collectors. The colour blue is captivating, and the demand for these sets remains steady. The price of these sets can be quite high, with some pieces costing thousands of dollars.

Depression glass was mass-produced from 1920 to 1950, with over 20 manufacturers producing it during that time. It was inexpensive glassware marketed towards working-class American families. Today, these Depression-era relics are widely collected in the United States.

There are many different patterns and styles of blue depression glass dinnerware sets. Some popular patterns include Moderntone and Royal Lace, both produced by the Hazel Atlas Glass Company. Another popular pattern is Mayfair, produced by the Anchor Hocking Glass Company. These sets can be found for sale on websites such as Etsy.

Blue Depression Glass Dinnerware Sets in the Royal Lace Pattern

The Royal Lace pattern is one of the most sought-after patterns in Depression glass. Produced by the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company from 1934 to 1941, the first colours made were green, pink, and crystal, with Ritz Blue (cobalt) introduced in 1936.

Today, blue Royal Lace is highly sought after by collectors, with green and pink also becoming more desirable. A 5-piece place setting in blue (cup, saucer, 6-inch, 8-inch, and 9 7/8-inch plates) can cost between $165 and $185 per setting. Pink and green sets are priced between $85 and $110, while crystal is more affordable at $40.

The Royal Lace pattern is available in a variety of tableware items, including plates, bowls, cups, saucers, pitchers, tumblers, and serving dishes. The pattern features ultra-frilly details, making it a beautiful and elegant choice for dinnerware.

When shopping for Royal Lace dinnerware, it is important to be aware of reproductions. Original Royal Lace pieces will have a pattern on the bottom of tumblers, while reproductions will not. Additionally, the lids of cookie jars are rare, so if you find one, examine it carefully for authenticity.

Building a complete set of Royal Lace dinnerware in the cobalt blue colour may take time and a significant financial investment, but the result is a stunning and highly valued collection.

Cobalt Blue Glass Dinnerware

Today, it can be challenging to find cobalt blue glass dinnerware, and prices can be high. Collectors may need to search for years and spend thousands of dollars to complete a set. However, there are still some moderately priced vintage options available, such as Chevron milk pitchers and violin-shaped bottles. Cobalt blue glass butter dishes, measuring cups, and pitchers can also be found for under $50.

When shopping for cobalt blue glass dinnerware, it is important to be aware of reproductions. These pieces are usually of lower quality and may have a greasy feel compared to authentic Depression-era glass.

Blue Depression Glass Dinnerware Sets in the Moderntone Pattern

The Moderntone pattern, produced by the Hazel Atlas Glass Company from 1934 to 1942, is a highly sought-after design among collectors of cobalt blue Depression glassware. The simple banded pattern, with its slight Art Deco flair, was originally produced in cobalt blue, also known as Ritz Blue, with a limited number of pieces in pink or green transparent.

The cobalt blue colour is captivating and highly desirable among glassware enthusiasts, and the prices of some pieces can be quite high. Collectors of Moderntone often turn to online shops specialising in glass, as well as shows where dealers in Depression-era patterns congregate.

The most sought-after Moderntone pieces include the cheese dish, butter dish, and sugar bowl cover, as well as the sandwich plate, oval platter, flat soup bowl, and cereal bowl. These pieces are hard to come by, especially in mint condition, as the pattern is on the outer edge of the plates, making use marks and scratches very obvious.

In the 1940s, Hazel Atlas produced a Platonite line of Moderntone dinnerware in opaque white glass, decorated with fired-on colours and sold in mixed-colour sets. This line included the popular Deco set, featuring white dishes with blue or red trim, sometimes adorned with a Japanese Willow design in the centre.

In the 1950s, Hazel Atlas reintroduced Moderntone as the basis for its Little Hostess Party Dishes, sold in various colour combinations, including pastel colours and Sierra colours of turquoise, gold, grey, and rust.

Blue Depression Glass Dinnerware Sets in the Mayfair Pattern

Mayfair is an Art Deco pattern of Depression glass, featuring the iconic "open rose" design surrounded by intricate leaf motifs. It was manufactured by the Hocking Glass Company from 1931 to 1937 and came in pink, blue, yellow, and green.

Blue Mayfair pieces are highly sought-after by collectors and can be worth several hundred dollars. In the 1930s, pink was the most popular colour of the Mayfair pattern, making it more common today.

Mayfair was mostly featured on squarish items with the corners cut and slightly scalloped edges. It often had a flat edge on plates and bowls. Items in this pattern included cookie jars, plates, goblets, candy dishes, bowls, vases, pitchers, and salt and pepper shakers.

Depression glass was mass-produced from 1920 to 1950 and was affordable glassware marketed to working-class American families. Over twenty manufacturers produced Depression glass in this period, including Jeanette, Hazel Atlas, and Anchor-Hocking.

Today, these relics from the Great Depression era are widely collected in the United States.

Blue Depression Glass Dinnerware Sets in the American Sweetheart Pattern

The American Sweetheart pattern was produced by the MacBeth-Evans Glass Company from 1930 to 1936. The pattern is characterised by plates, bowls, saucers, and platters with scalloped edges and a design featuring scrolls and swags. The design is etched onto moulds, giving the glass a beautiful, light shade of pink. The pattern is also available in monax (thin, opalescent white), monax with coloured trims, deep blue, and red. There are also a few pieces in cremax, a darker ivory similar to monax, and clear glass.

The American Sweetheart pattern is highly sought after by collectors as it is considered one of the most beloved patterns. It is also safe from reproduction worries, as there are no reports of any reproduced pieces. This makes it a great pattern for novice and experienced collectors alike.

A complete dinner set in the American Sweetheart pattern can be acquired without spending a fortune. However, some serving pieces, like the sugar lid, tumblers, and cream soups, can be quite pricey. The monax white variation is particularly elegant and ethereal, making it an excellent choice even for those who do not usually care for white glass. The monax variation is translucent and so thin that some pieces have a blue tinge on the rims.

The MacBeth-Evans Glass Company produced American Sweetheart pieces in a variety of colours and variations, making it a versatile pattern that can be mixed and matched. The pink variation is a light, clear colour, with no trace of orange, muddiness, or redness. The blue variation is a gorgeous cobalt blue, and the red pieces add a pop of colour.

The American Sweetheart pattern is perfect for those who want to set their table with a pretty, soft, graceful, feminine, and lovely pattern. However, the pieces may not mix as easily with other patterns as some other depression glass patterns. The unique style of American Sweetheart looks great on its own, making it a great choice for those who want a cohesive table setting.

Overall, the American Sweetheart pattern in blue is a highly desirable and collectible pattern that can add a touch of elegance and charm to any table setting.

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