Collecting Depression Glass - Where To Start

By Author: Murray Hughes
Total Articles: 15
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Okay, so you've been bitten by the Depression Glass bug, and
those pretty patterns and pastel colors beckon you from the
shelves of an antique dealer's shop, a friend's home, or
maybe you've even discovered this special glassware on the
Internet. How ever it's come about that you've developed a
yen for Depression Glass, you need to know where and how to
start collecting it - unless you're made of money, have
oodles of time on your hands, and don't care whether you
get the real thing or not. But if you're like most of us,
and those things don't apply to you, here are a few tips to
get you started on the road to what may very well become a
fascinating and lifelong hobby.

Step 1
- Buy the latest edition of the book, The Collector's
Encyclopedia of Depression Glass by Gene Florence that
boasts a recommendation from the National Depression Glass
Association. Mr. Florence's comprehensive book covers all
the known patterns with photographs and current price
listings, short histories of the manufacturers, information
on detecting fakes ...
... and reproduction pieces, along with the
production dates and colors of each design. All this,
including the author's own personal anecdotes about this
addictive hobby, make this book not only one of the most
useful tools from which to learn about Depression Glass,
but turns learning about the subject into entertainment, as
well.

Step 2
- Go to glass shows and conventions, join Depression Glass
clubs, and visit antique shops in your area that carry it.
It's imperative to learn about this type of glass from
hands-on knowledge in order to get a true feel of how it
looks in person. Soon you'll learn many, if not all, the
colors and patterns, and be able to distinguish
reproductions - most commonly made in Mexico and India -
from the genuine article. Color, patterns, weight, mold
markings - even the bubbles - of real Depression Glass hold
a uniqueness all their own.

Step 3
- Subscribe to magazines, newsletters, and other periodicals
that focus on collecting Depression Glass. The National
Depression Glass Association offers an online newsletter
subscription on its site at www.ndga.net, and Collector's
News, a print magazine, frequently features articles of
interest to Depression Glass fans.

Step 4
- Meet and make friends with an expert! There's nothing like
having a mentor to guide you when you're in the process of
learning something new - especially about Depression Glass.
Such tips as learning to use your tactile sense of feel to
detect chips and cracks, holding a piece up to the light to
help determine its authenticity, and other helpful
information usually come from personal relationships.
Attending shows, joining clubs, and visiting antique shops
all provide opportunities to make friends with people
who've been involved in collecting Depression Glass - some
for as long as 40 or 50 years.

The most important thing to remember when you begin your
Depression Glass hobby, however, is to have fun! Even if
you do make a mistake, get occasionally rooked with a
fake, or buy or sell something you later regret, you'll
always have the experience of appreciating an interesting
and fascinating hobby. And then, when you do make the find
of your life - well, that's what it's all about! All those
mistakes soon become laughable, fond memories when you
proudly display your wonderful Depression Glass discovery!

So get out there and make your start today or look for the
next beautiful piece to add to your growing collection.

Until next time,

Murray Hughes
http://www.DepressionGlassSecrets.com

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About the Author If you enjoyed this article by Murray Hughes, then visit
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To Becoming A Depression Glass Collector"