How to Value Your Antique Glass

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by: Tom Williams
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Word Count: 539
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 Time: 11:21 PM
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Originally invented centuries ago, glass for the home did not become a standard use until around the mid-1800s. Glass jars for food storage and preservation, commonly known as canning jars, was one of the first widespread uses of glass for the homemaker. As the Glass industry matured, the homemaker was soon introduced to a variety of glassware for use in the home, and subsequently, a new field of collecting was soon born.

In the century that followed dozens of glass manufacturers sprung up, creating millions of pieces of glass in a seemingly unlimited number of colors and patterns. One company that became the largest producer of Glass in the world was the Hazel Atlas Glass Company. Today, many people seek out and buy antique glass for many different reasons. The primary allure to antique glass is the history and beauty of such early pieces.

In most antique and collectible circles, antique glass is defined as any glassware that is more than 75 years old. This covers the era from the mid-1930s and before. While glassware made after the 1930s is often part of many collections, it is usually referred to as collectible glass and not necessarily antique glass. Glassware does not necessarily have to be antique glass to be considered valuable; it is mainly the desire of the particular piece that determines the price or value.

On the other hand, just because a piece is considered antique glass does not mean it is valuable simply because of its age. Values are largely determined by supply and demand, the same as any commodity. To this end, it is important for a collector to know the values when buying or selling antique glassware. One of the first places many people turn to when they want to find a value for antique glass, is an antique dealer. This in many cases may be a mistake, simply because an antique dealer has a lot to gain from your lack of knowledge about a particular piece of antique glass.

In today’s world, researching antique glass is so much easier with the vast resources of the Internet. It is advisable to first try and determine the value of your antique glass in the current market, before you approach an antique dealer or buyer. Once you are able to determine the pattern name, manufacturer, and approximate value of your antique glassware, you are better equipped with the knowledge necessary to sell, and ensure you get the best price.

Much of the antique glass that you will find was produced in the 1920-1940 era by only a handful of American glass manufacturers. Companies like Hazel Atlas, Jeanette, Mac-Beth Evans, and Duncan-Miller produced some of the most popular patterns. The largest producer of glassware was Hazel Atlas, and this company is a good place to begin to research your antique glass.

It is important to become knowledgeable on the antique glassware that you own or collect, to ensure you are getting the right price when buying or selling. Resources like collectors clubs, newsletters, and informational sites are the best places to find the name of your pattern, manufacturer, and current prices.

About the Author

The author is the webmaster of the Hazel Atlas Glass collectors website and has published dozens of articles in trade magazines and the web to help collectors of Antique Glass. Visit the Hazel Atlas Glass collectors club for more information on identifying, collecting and values.

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