Ask Just Glass and... Answered!
You asked, we answered! Here are some of the things that collectors have inquired about. 



        Question:
 I collect depression & elegant glass cup and saucer sets. I received this unusual set from a friend who thought it would fit in with the collection, but I cannot find this pattern anywhere. I would like to know a bit about the provenance
.

Answer:
   Your cup & saucer set was made by the Indiana Glass Company of Dunkirk, Indiana.
While it’s not from the Depression era, it’s an interesting set that you don’t often see. 
This pattern
is part of Indiana’s Presentation Crystal Happenings Collection that was made
during the 1980’s and 1990’s. While Indiana didn't give it a name, collectors have
dubbed it ‘Hobnail’ ‘Bubble’ and ‘Thousand Eye’. The deviled egg relish dish is
the most commonly found piece in this pattern, though 8 inch plates and cup & saucer sets
can be found with some searching. Indiana did the fired on ruby trim throughout the 1980’s,
so your set probably dates to that time period.



Question:

 I was wondering if anyone knows the production years for the Blenko 384H.
It seems they are so hard to find and you always hear how delicate the handles are and
I am wondering how many years they were made.


Answer:
From what information I can gather, the Blenko 384H handled water bottle was pictured
in the 1938 – 9 production catalog, and then listed again in the 1948, 1949 and 1950 catalogs.
The original bottle is 8 1/2 inches tall and about 6 1/4 inches wide.
The handle makes it quite fragile – many have cracks where the handle joins the body,
other have cracked handles. Blenko did do a newer version of this bottle that’s smaller 
- about 6 1/4 inches high – in 2012 for the 75th anniversary.



 

  Question:
I was wondering if you could tell me what the different rings and non rings mean on the bottom of these Petalware saucers. I notice that the one with lots of rings says 'Made in USA' in the middle. It is also not as translucent as the others.

Answer:
Petalware was made by MacBeth Evans from 1930 through 1950. Because of this
long production period, molds were heavily used and replaced as they wore out.
The rings and plain saucers are just the result of 2 different mold styles being used.
When the pattern was done in clear pink, rings were added to the back to decorate
the otherwise plain centers. These molds were then used for the entire production line
because it was too expensive to make them for a limited color. Thus you’ll find the 
monax and cremax colors with both ringed and plain backs. 

The 'Made in USA' mark was used by MacBeth Evans in the late 1940’s – 50’s,
so this just means that those saucers were made using a later mold and date to
later in the production period. The difference in thickness and
slight variation in size is also just a result of the molds that were used.
As the molds wore, size and thickness changed.
Remember that this glass was not expensive at the time and so quality control was not a priority.


  Question:
I recently purchased a set of beautiful pink plates and glasses from an estate sale. Although I love it for the color and pattern, I'd like to know if it's authentic Depression Glass or a reproduction. Or is it something else entirely? A photo of one of the tumblers is attached.
 Thanks you so much, Katherine

Answer:
Your set was made by Lancaster Colony Company for Tiara Exclusives
between 1989 and 1998. It is a reproduction of the original Sandwich pattern that was made
during the Depression by Indiana Glass Company. When Indiana closed, Lancaster acquired
the molds and produced this pattern for Tiara, who marketed it under the name 'Chantilly'.
(Tiara sold through home parties.) Although Indiana did produce some pink Sandwich 
in the 1930's, it was limited to a dozen different items, and the color is a very pale, soft pink.
The tumbler pictured was not one of the original items made, and the color is too dark.
Tiara called this color 'Peach' and made it from 1989 - 98.

The first rule of buying glass is to buy because you like it, not because you think it's
old and/or valuable. I hope what you've learned hasn't changed your feelings about your set.
Use it and enjoy it!