By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

HAMILTON, Ohio — When it comes to collecting Depression glass, Betty Walker of Maysville, Ky. thinks nothing of chasing it down.

Last week at the Brown’s Marketplace auction near downtown Hamilton, Walker made the 85-mile one way trip to mull over the many pieces of Depression glass.

“Like any other collectible, Depression glass gets in your blood,” said Walker, now 70.

“I started collecting in 1958. My father owned a small grocery store near Hazard, Ky., and his customers often paid him with fruits, vegetables and Depression glass. His collection was rather huge, though back then it wasn’t rare to obtain it like it is today.”

Like collectors of rare coins or even baseball cards, Walker is obsessed with Depression glass, a collection she said numbers to nearly 4,000.
“I set a bid limit for myself to stay within budget, but I nearly cry when I lose a nice piece to a higher bid,” Walker added.

Depression glass is clear or colored glassware that was distributed free, or at a low cost, in the United States around the time of the Great Depression. The Quaker Oats Co. and other food manufacturers and distributors, put a piece of glassware in boxes of food, as an incentive to purchase. Movie theaters and businesses would hand out a piece simply for coming in the door.
“At the time, most of the Depression glassware was made in the central and Midwestern states,” said Bill Tanner, Depression glass expert and owner of Tanner Antiques of St. Cloud, Minn.

“The reason is because there was more access to raw materials and power made manufacturing inexpensive in the first half of the 20th century. More than 20 manufacturers made more than 100 patterns and entire dinner sets were made in some patterns.”

Common colors, Tanner said, (and a few found at this particular auction) include clear, pink, pale blue, green and amber. Less common colors include yellow, aquamarine and cobalt blue.

“Depression glass was a hot item 25 years ago, and it still is today,” Tanner said. “Although of marginal quality, Depression glass has been highly collectible since the 1960s. Scarce pieces may sell for several hundred dollars. Some manufacturers continued to make popular patterns after World War II, or introduced similar patterns, which are also collectible. Popular and expensive patterns and pieces have been reproduced, and reproductions are still being made.”

Depression glass was one of thousands of items up for bid at this auction, which was spearheaded by auctioneer Delbert Cox.

This particular auction was a pottery lover’s paradise. Up for bids was a 12-place setting of antique dinnerware, numerous shrimp bowls, china bells, tea sets dating back to 1940 and hull vases.

Other highly-sought items included a walnut Victorian tufted back love seat and side chair, a Waterfall cedar chest, several curio cabinets, mahogany coffee table (1940s), mahogany drop lid serpentine front desk (1930s), bedroom suites and a 1940 bowfront kneehole desk. Most all the furniture was in mint condition.

Baseball cards, mantel clocks, iron kettles, stoneware and toasters made their way to the auctioneer’s table.

Of the three hours spent auctioning the entire lot, Cox spent two hours with the china on hand.

“There’s not a big market for china right now,” Cox said. “A lot of china has been reproduced. Furniture is another tight market right now. Everyone has it.”
Attendance at auctions remains high, although Cox blames the economy for many people hanging onto their money when bidding time arrives. Cox also pointed out that there were no bidders under the age of 50.

“There just seems to be fewer young people at these things any more,” Cox said. “From time to time you’ll see people in their 20s and 30s at these auctions, but not like there used to be.”

Next on the auction agenda for Cox and his brothers is the Americana Sale to be held in Eaton on Aug. 27-28.