Normandie Bouqet and Lattice Amber Depression Glass Plate

Doesn’t the name Normandie sound fancy?  I did some research to write this post because I thought the name may have been drawn from the famous French ocean liner Normandie, however the vessel was launched in 1935, after the depression pattern production start.  For many years this pattern was called Bouquet and Lattice for its design of – guess what – flowers between trellises.  Normandie is a more appealing name for this pretty pattern regardless of the reason!

Federal Glass made Normandie from 1933 to 1940 in pink, amber and iridescent orange called Sunburst.  I see a lot more iridescent compared to either amber or pink.  Sadly this is a pattern on the scarce side, especially in pink.  Several years ago I bought pink cups, saucers and sherbets at a garage sale and have not seen some since.

The amber is particularly nice and you are more likely to find pieces, even tumblers, and at relatively affordable prices.  If  you like it, the iridescent is quite inexpensive.  Also you don’t need to worry about reproduction Normandie because it has not been remade.

One thing to be careful of with Normandie, as with Federal’s similar shaped Patrician Spoke and Madrid, is inner rim roughness.  You can see the sharp delineation at the inside edge of the rim and that can get nicked if you stack plates without a paper plate between them.  I’ve had less problem with Normandie nicks than with Madrid, but do be aware and check when you buy or ask an online seller to check before you order.

Normandie is a personal favorite and I hope you like it too!

Federal Patrician Green Depression Glass Lunch Plate

Reason #10:  Depression glass is beautiful!  The colors are entrancing, the designs are compelling.

Take this Patrician depression glass pattern from Federal Glass.  This has a neat design on the rim like little Vs and a center medallion that looks like a wagon wheel.  You won’t find colored glass made today that is prettier than this!

You could use this pattern in a lunch set and set a pretty table!  In fact you could mix the green and the amber colors and get a great fall look.

Tomorrow: Reason #9!

Georgian Lovebirds Green Depression Glass Plate

We just got more Federal Georgian green depression glass and got the first piece, this great lunch plate, listed tonight.  I like Georgian because it’s a beautiful shade of green and the design with birds and flower baskets connected by swags is neat.  It’s one of the patterns I look for and buy when it’s reasonable.

There are lots of patterns called “Georgian” and most have pressed designs of honeycombs.  Federal’s Georgian is the only one I’m familiar with that has mold-etched brids and baskets.

We talked about misinformed concerns about reproduction Georgian Lovebirds depression glass in a previous post.  Remember, this is one pattern that has not been reproduced (at least not as of June 2009) so don’t be worried about whether the pieces have Federal’s mark of an F in a shield.  

Most Federal Georgian does not have the mark, which makes sense with the elaborate scroll design in the center of plates and bowls.  Even most plain-centered piecs like cups and sherbets are not marked.  We have saucers with and without the mark; it simply isn’t important.  Remember back in the 1930s this glass was a give-away item, made cheaply enough to be premiums in bags of flour or at the movies.  Glass manufacturers cranked depression glassware out in large quantities and didn’t worry about little things like perfection.  You’ll find all sorts of small flaws like little bubbles and raised seams, although Federal’s seems a little nicer than some.

So enjoy this very special patterns and put those birds and flower baskets on your collection list!

Federal Glass Sharon Amber Depression 5 inch Berry Bowl

I went to the flea market today and found a few pieces of Sharon amber depression glass.  One lady had several dinner plates.  The price was right but the plates had quite a bit of wear so I left them.  Another seller had a set of three pieces, a little berry bowl like this one, the larger serving bowl and a small plate.  These were a little high but I bought them.  Sharon is a nice pattern that many of my customers enjoy and the amber is making a resurgence in popularity.

Personally I’m partial to green and amber depression glass more than pink, but pink still seems to be most customers’ favorite.  Of course blue – in the few patterns you can find – remains the top color.   

One thing about Sharon is how affordable it is.  The amber 8 inch serving bowl is under $10 which is one of the lowest prices you will see for a colored depression glass bowl.   It’s been increasingly uncommon for me to find depression glass at the local flea market and I buy it when it’s in good condition.   I should get that new glass listed on my two sites, www.CatladykatesGlass.com and www.catladykate.com in the next few weeks.  Then other people can enjoy it too! In the meantime, here is the Sharon depression glass listed now on eBay.

This is a Georgian sherbet from Federal Glass, a very nice and favorite depression glass pattern.  Georgian is nicknamed “Lovebirds” due to the medallion of two lovebirds alternating with basket medallions.

I recently got an email from an eBayer informing me that my sherbet is most likely reproduced because “it was too heavy, too large and not marked with the Federal glassmaker’s mark.”

This individual unfortunately is misinformed, but even more unfortunately, there are guides on eBay and possibly elsewhere that claim glass without the Federal F in a shield is not truly by Federal Glass.

I consulted my reference books by Gene Florence and by Barbara Mauzy and none mention Georgian reproductions.  Further, it is well-established that Federal, like most depression glass makers, marked only a few pieces.

 I emailed a very gracious author, Barbara Mauzy, who was extremely generous with her time and confirmed that Federal marked very few pieces.   “At this time there is no information pertaining to the existence of Georgian reproductions. Yes, some of the pieces are marked, but the vast majority of this pattern is unmarked. The “F” symbol actually would be an interference to the Georgian motif. This is why you rarely see any company’s mark on dinnerware. I hope this helps and relax and love your glass!”

As for the size and weight of my sherbet, the eBay correspondent based their comment solely on the photo, which shows the small sherbet close up.  It is the normal size and weight.

So what does this tell you?  First, if you collect depression glass then learn about your patterns.  There is good information on the internet and there is not-so-good.  Read and ask questions.  I recommend Gene Florence’s Encyclopedia of Depression Glass and Barbara Mauzy’s books for excellent discussions of fakes and reproductions. There are patterns that I seldom buy online, such as Cherry Blossom, but if you know your patterns you can buy with confidence.  Here is a post I wrote about my Cherry Blossom butter dish that I got online because I knew what to look for to assure authenticity.

Also, even if pieces are marked, don’t assume they are authentic!  Sad to say, some fake Heisey glass has the H in a diamond mark, and some reissues also have marks.  Your best assurance to buy safely is knowledge!