More Depression Glass

By Tiffany Meekins

Depression-era sea glass pieces (Merri Lassotovich).

Last year, I shared an article about some of the beautiful Depression glass pieces that beachcombers have found on the beach. Depression glass was patterned glassware manufactured by over 20 glass manufacturers in the 1930s and 1940s. The glass was sold directly to consumers, but also was given away as a promotional item with purchases of cereal, oatmeal, appliances, and more.

There were over one hundred patterns of Depression glass, and each manufacturer had their own unique patterns, shapes, and colors. Because there were so many pieces made, numerous pieces ended up being discarded and over time have made their way through waterways to the beach as sea glass. Though most Depression glass patterns came in clear, some came in an array of colors from pink to green to yellow and cobalt. These are of course the most sought after.

As a collector of Depression glass and avid beachcomber, I’m always on the lookout for sea glass pieces that came from the 1930s and 1940s. Following are some more Depression glass and sea glass pieces with discernible patterns, which I hope will help you identify your own pieces.

Happy collecting and beachcombing!

Doric

Jeannette Glass Company, 1935–1938. Came in pink, green, Delphite, ultramarine, and yellow.

Cube

Jeannette Glass Company, 1929–1933. Came in pink, green, ultramarine, amber, white, crystal, custard, and ruby flash. There are two very similar patterns—Whitehall from India Glass and American from Fostoria—that are also cube-shaped, so it can be very hard to distinguish between them.

Petalware

Macbeth-Evans, 1930–1942. Came in pink, Monax, Cremax, crystal, cobalt blue, and fired-on colors.

Florentine 2 or Poppy 2

Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, 1932–1935. Came in pink, green, yellow, crystal, cobalt, amber, and ice blue. The Florentine comes in two designs, referred to as Florentine 1 or Florentine 2. Many Florentine 1 pieces have serrated edges and Florentine 2 have round edges.

Rose Cameo

Belmont Tumbler Company, 1931. Came in green.

Cameo

Hocking Glass Company, 1930–1934. Came in green, topaz, and pink. Cobalt blue pieces are reproductions.

Sharon or Cabbage Rose

Federal Glass Company, 1935–1939. Came in pink, green, amber, and some pieces were clear/crystal. All jadeite, Chalaine blue, and very light pink pieces are reproductions.

Floral and Diamond Band

U.S. Glass Company, 1927–1931. Came in pink, green, iridescent, and clear/crystal.

Princess

Hocking Glass Company, 1931–1935. Came in pink, green, topaz yellow, apricot yellow, and light blue.

Miss America

Hocking Glass Company, 1933–1936. Came in pink, crystal, green, ruby, ice blue, and jadeite. Cobalt blue pieces are reproductions.

Holiday/Buttons and Bows

Jeanette Glass Company, 1947–1949. Came in pink, crystal, and white.

Swirl or Petal Swirl

Jeannette Glass Company, 1937–1938. Came in pink, ultramarine, Delphite, crystal, amber, and ice blue.

Parrot/Sylvan

Federal Glass Company, 1931–1932. Came in green, amber, blue, and clear/crystal.

Adam

Jeannette Glass Company, 1932–1934. Mostly found in pink and green but also came in clear/crystal, yellow, and Delphite.

Normandie

Federal Glass Company, 1933–1939. Came in amber, pink, and iridescent.

Sunflower

Jeannette Glass Company, 1930s. Came in green, pink, opaque, ultramarine, Delphite, yellow, and caramel.

Burple or Inspiration

Anchor Hocking Glass Company, 1950s. Technically manufactured after the Depression, this pattern is featured in many Depression glass books. Came in Forest Green, Royal Ruby, and clear/crystal.

Doric And Pansy

Jeannette Glass Company, 1937–1938. Came in ultramarine, and crystal.

Jubilee

Lancaster Glass Company, 1930. Came in yellow and pink.

Georgian Lovebirds

Federal Glass Company, 1931–1935. Came in green, crystal, and amber.

Madrid

Federal Glass Company, 1932–1939. Came in pink, green, amber, crystal, and blue.

Patrician or Spoke

Federal Glass Company, 1933–1937. Came in pink, green, amber, and clear/crystal.

Cherry Blossom

Jeannette Glass Company, 1930–1939. Came in pink, green, Delphite, clear, jadeite, and red. It is one of the most collected patterns, and modern reproductions are plentiful.

All photos by Tiffany Meekins except as marked.

This article appeared in Beachcombing Magazine Volume 46 the January/February 2025 issue.