Last weekend we went to an antique fair that included more depression glass than we’ve seen for a while, including this Royal Lace pink depression glass creamer and sugar.
Royal Lace Pink Depression Glass Creamer and Sugar
The set was $15 for the pair, a good price since you might pay $30-40 for the pieces bought individually, but I didn’t buy it. Somehow it just didn’t look right. The pattern seemed weak.
My memory was that a couple tumblers and cookie jar had been reproduced, not the creamers and sugars, but I called Dave to be sure. For once my memory was right, these should not have been reproductions, but even so, I didn’t like their looks and left them for another shopper.
Later we saw some pink tumblers which I passed on too. They were too expensive to buy for resale and the lighting wasn’t good enough to verify the color was right.
Most of the reproductions have been the blue Royal Lace which is priced high to match its popularity and as usual there are small tell tales to give away which pieces are reproductions. If you enjoy this pattern and expect to purchase tumblers or the cookie jar then it would be wise to get a book like this one by Gene Florence, Collector’s Encyclopedia of Depression Glass, that describes what to look for. (The link is to an older edition which should be fine.)
The thing you need to be careful with Royal Lace, as with Florentine 1, also by Hazel Atlas, is nicking on the inner rims. Most of the time you can’t see the rough spots and have to check by feel. Here’s a picture of a blue plate. See how the rim is flat, with a sharp drop off on the inside edge? That gets chipped.
Royal Lace Blue Depression Glass Plate
In fact, plates without any inner rim roughness are hard to find and fetch a premium. I recommend you always place a paper plate or even a paper towel between each plate when you stack them. That helps avoid the inside nicks.
Hazel Atlas made Royal Lace in soft pink, the delectable blue, green and crystal. I waffle whether the blue or green wins my heart! The pattern is so pretty and lacy that it looks grand in all the colors. Crystal is charming, and you can easily mix the colors. Here’s a picture of all four colors.
Royal Lace Blue Green Pink and Clear Depression Glass
Which color do you like best?