During the Great Depression of the 1930s, many families around the country struggled to put food on the table.
Parents tried to get any odd jobs to make extra money, but even with that, many kids went to bed hungry.
People were no longer spending money on luxuries, so in order to get people in the door, businesses, stores, and even movie theaters started setting up incentives.
One such incentive was glassware.
It might seem crazy, but when people couldn't even afford food, having a nice piece of glassware could not only give people a serving dish, it could also give them nice decoration for their homes.
Some food manufacturers sent out "Depression Glass" in food boxes, while stores and businesses would just give away the glassware when people walked onto the premises.
Although the glass isn't very high quality, its unique colors and interesting history make it highly collectible now.
[H/T: Dusty Old Thing]
In the 1930s, Depression Glass was sold for only five cents — the same price as a loaf of bread!
When many families could barely make ends meet, the cheap cost of Depression Glass allowed people to bring a little cheer into their homes.
Depression Glass came in a variety of colors, from light pink to amber, pale blue, and jade green.
Although the glass wasn't particularly high quality, its colors and intricate patterns made it beautiful and interesting.
This mass-produced glass made beautiful serving dishes accessible to the lower and middle classes, giving them a piece of luxury they wouldn't have previously been able to afford.
Today, many people still have pieces of Depression Glass that were passed down from their parents and grandparents.
And now that these items have become collectibles, some of them are worth a lot of money!
If you think you have a genuine piece of Depression Glass, you should bring it to an appraiser, as it could be worth a good chunk of money.
Glasses and plates in common colors may only go for $15, but the rarer colors (like tangerine, ruby, and lavender) and designs are worth much more.
The most sought-after pieces could go for upwards of $800!
Do you have any Depression Glass? Let us know in the comments below!
If you know someone who might not realize how valuable their glassware is, please SHARE this article with them! You never know which item could be worth a small fortune.
