| Up until the mid to late 1800s, glassware was not | | | | piece of glass is old, it is worth money. That is |
| primarily used in the home, although the usage of | | | | not always the case, as some antique glass has |
| glass for other purposes had been around for | | | | very little desire and therefore will sell for quite |
| many years. Glass jars for food storage and | | | | low prices. This very reason is why any collector |
| preservation, commonly known as canning jars, | | | | or seller should know the patterns and prices of |
| was one of the first widespread uses of glass for | | | | any piece in their collection. To determine the |
| the homemaker. As the Glass industry matured, | | | | value, some people will seek the advice of an |
| the homemaker was soon introduced to a variety | | | | antique dealer. Not all antique dealers will honestly |
| of glassware for use in the home, and | | | | appraise your piece, especially if he stands to gain |
| subsequently, a new field of collecting was soon | | | | from your inexperience and ignorance of antiques. |
| born. | | | | In today's world, researching antique glass is so |
| Over the course of the next 50 years, glass | | | | much easier with the vast resources of the |
| houses started springing up literally overnight. The | | | | Internet. It is advisable to first try and determine |
| hottest trend in home decor was serving, | | | | the value of your item in the current market, |
| decorating and displaying glassware. The majority | | | | before you approach an antique dealer or buyer. |
| of these glass houses were located on the east | | | | Once you are able to determine the pattern |
| coast of the USA. It is the pieces made in the | | | | name, manufacturer, and approximate value of |
| early 1900s that has become the focus of many | | | | your glassware, you are better equipped with the |
| collectors who seek out antiques for their | | | | knowledge necessary to sell, and ensure you get |
| collections. | | | | the best price. To make sure you are getting the |
| In most antique and collectible circles, antique glass | | | | best price possible, it is important to learn the |
| is defined as any glassware that is more than 75 | | | | manufacturer, any historical information and the |
| years old. This covers the era from the | | | | pattern names of your piece, this ensures you |
| mid-1930s and before. Many collectors will value | | | | get the appropriate and fair price. |
| glass that may be 50 years old, the experts | | | | The glass houses that produced what is |
| usually refer to this glass as 'collectible' and not | | | | considered antique glass in the early to mid 1900s |
| antique. It is a misconception by some, that glass | | | | are a small group, therefore, it is very easy to |
| has to meet a certain age to be valuable antique | | | | find information on most antique glassware. Less |
| glass, when in reality it is the desirability by | | | | than 5 major glass manufacturers produced the |
| collectors that determine the value. | | | | majority of all glass in the 1930s and 1940s. |
| A further misunderstanding is that because a | | | | |