Mayfair Open Rose Depression Glass

This pitcher is Mayfair pink depression glass by Hocking. This pattern has vertical ribs and wide panels with open roses grouped in a bouquet. Many pieces are square as is this pitcher.

Hocking made Mayfair for several years, 1931 to 1937, and in a soft blue plus some green, yellow and clear in addition to the pink. The blue is very scarce and I've seen only a couple pieces. It is a soft blue, not cobalt.

A few pieces of Mayfair have been reproduced, notably the pitcher, shot glass, shakers and cookie jar. The handle on the pitcher shown here is a smooth curve that comes horizontally off the body. The repro handles are odd shaped. Also, the base on the originals have round mold marks with the repros lack.

Good depression glass books will give details on how to tell repros from originals. Often the repros will be poorly molded or be strange colors that were never made.

We have this pitcher listed in our TIAS store and eBay store.

Fostoria Garland - Lovely Urn and Wreath Etched Stemware

Beautiful etch is Garland from Fostoria. This dates to between 1915 and 1928 and is lovely with today's table settings.

Fostoria made a cutting called Garland also, and they used a second stemware line for this etch. If you like this you will want to be sure you are getting the etch and stemware blank you prefer. The other blank has a much wider stem and the bowl is more bulbous.

Garland features an urn overflowing with flowers and leaves that form swags around the bowl. The swags connect to round wreaths that have ribbons at the end. You can see the wreaths in this view.

During the early part of the 20th century formal dinners often included multiple wines and used separate stems for each one. This is one reason why the wine stems from early days are much smaller than wine stems one buys today. This particular wine goblet holds only 2 3/4 ounces when filled to the very brim. This is the common size for older wine stems - another point to know if you decide to indulge yourself with vintage crystal stemware.

We have this listed in our TIAS and eBay stores.
http://www.tias.com/stores/catladykate/
http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Elegant-Depression-Glass

New: We started a blog for people who are just beginning to enjoy depression glass called Depression Glass 101. http://depressionglassguide.blogspot.com/

Old English Depression Glass aka Threading by Indiana Glass

Yes, this is depression glass, but it has a lot of looks and is stylish even today. The pattern is Old English and it has narrow, fine ribs running horizontally. The element that makes this pattern pop is the handle shape - notice the double curlicue on this comport. Some pieces have open clover shapes, very nice and sharp.

Indiana Glass made Old English in the late 1920s. Many of Indiana's depression patterns have only numbers, but this one is different as the pattern name appears to be original with the manufacturer. This has the appearance of finer glass, partly due to the style, but also the colors and shapes. It comes in green with some amber and pink and the amber is deep and rich, very nice.

We have this piece and the matching candle holder listed in our TIAS and eBay stores.
http://www.tias.com/stores/catladykate/
http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Elegant-Depression-Glass

Fostoria Shirley Etch - Coming Up Poppies!

Isn't this a beautiful candle holder? It is Fostoria's Baroque blank with the Shirley etch. You can imagine how this looks holding two candles on your dining room table!

Fostoria used Shirley on other blanks, including Flame and Sceptre. The wavy curves on the arms and asymmetric center show this is Baroque, even though it doesn't have the usual fleur de lis.

Shirley etch has a single large poppy surrounded by vines of leaves and buds that swag around the open flower. It's a beautiful design that looks wonderful on the Baroque candle holder!

Chintz - Beautiful Rose Etch from Fostoria

Chintz is one of those patterns that I buy whenever possible. It is very pretty with spiky tendrils of roses and leaves etched on the classic Baroque blank. You can tell Baroque by the molded in fleur de lis; it was one of Fostoria's more popular blanks and they etched it with many beautiful designs.

Other glass companies made rose etchings and Heisey even has an etch with all over small bouquets that is called Chintz. You can tell Fostoria's etch by the spiky, angular looking etch design and, of course, the Baroque blank is a give away.

Right now we have the creamer and sugar, relish tray and candle in stock.

Pillar Optic Pink Depression Glass

Does this look familiar? This is Pillar Optic pink depression glass by Hocking. This is one of those patterns that is so simple and so attractive that it has been borrowed for years. You can find throwaway plastic tumblers that have a similar design.

This one is real depression glass and it's quite as nice to hold as it is to look at. The pattern is on the outside, so it does not qualify as an optic. (Optics have a molded design on the interior.) The panels are straight and slightly rounded to the touch. The top inch or so is smooth, making it good to drink out of.

This is one of those basic depression glass patterns that comes in pink and green and is affordable. You won't go broke buying a set of this, for example, the tumbler is about $15. Often tumblers are fairly expensive, especially since one needs multiples to make the set useful. Basic drink ware and plates are quite affordable although some serving pieces, like the oval platter, sugar bowl, creamer and serving bowl are pricey.

Pillar Optic is a good pattern to consider if you are looking to start a set or if you want glass that you can enjoy using without worrying too much.

Lido - Looks Like a Milkweed - Etch by Fostoria

Pretty etch looks like milkweed puffs gently floating in the breeze. This is Lido by Fostoria and it's on the Baroque blank. That means the glass itself has a pattern and the pattern name is Baroque. Lido is the etch.

This has been one of my favorites for a long time and I buy it when I can. This particular creamer came with the matching sugar. We have the goblet and large cake or torte tray as well.

Fostoria made Lido from 1937 to 1960 primarily in crystal but also in a gorgeous shade of blue called Azure. Years ago I saw some June tumblers in azure in the company store and couldn't afford them - such a shame as that is a wonderful color to show off etchings like this.

We have the creamer and sugar listed in our TIAS store and offered on eBay.

Catladykate's Elegant and Depression Glass at TIAS http://www.tias.com/stores/catladykate/

Catladykate at eBay http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Elegant-Depression-Glass