Collectible Glassware from the 40s 50s 60s...

As Depression glass becomes more scarce at garage sales and thrift shops (and much more expensive!), many people have started to collect the more readily-available glassware from the 1940's onward. In this book, Florence highlights both handmade and mass-produced glassware from the 1940's to the 1960's. Many readers will finally be able to put a name to many familiar items, for example: Anchor Hocking's "Early American Prescut"; Fenton's Milk Glass "Hobnail" and "Silvercrest" lines; and Westmoreland's "English Hobnail" and "Paneled Grape." Jade-ite and Swanky Swigs, both newly-popularized by Martha Stewart, are also covered in this book. The book is arranged alphabetically by pattern name, so novices will have to leaf through to find specific patterns if they are unfamiliar with them. The various glass patterns are beautifully illustrated by color photos or reproductions of manufacturers' original glass catalogs, brochures, and advertisements. There are also some photos of some of the glassware in its original packaging. I should mention that my biggest frustration with this book (ongoing with every edition!) is that it is often difficult to match a particular item in a photo to the item description and price listing. Bowls and plates can be a particular problem.

This book is a must for anybody starting out buying, selling, or collecting glassware from these decades, as it covers many basic glassware patterns. (I have certainly gotten my money's worth out of this and previous editions many times over, and continue to find it an invaluable reference.) However, as you develop a little more sophistication, you will probably find that this book only scratches the surface of current glassware knowledge. Since the first edition of this book was issued, many types of glassware have been covered exhaustively in other publications: Fenton, Anchor Hocking Royal Ruby and Forest Green, Westmoreland, Fire-King, and Jade-ite are all described and pictured in great detail elsewhere. And this book does not touch on the art glass of this period found in books by Leslie Pina, or the inexpensive beverage accessories covered by Hazel Marie Weatherman. Nevertheless, all criticism aside, I think most glass afficionados would agree that this book is an essential for any glass collector’s library.

Review by: Hazel (wparkhom)