American Sweetheart – A Pink Depression Glass Safe Pattern

This post starts our series looking at depression glass patterns that are safe to collect, meaning no reproduction worries, and also will give you enjoyment and the fun of hunting beautiful glass.  First up is American Sweetheart pink depression glass.

Reproductions

There is no report of any reproduced pieces of pink American Sweetheart.  MacBeth Evans made this pattern from 1930 to 1936 in our beautiful pink as well as monax (thin, opalescent white), monax with color trims on the edges, deep blue and red.  You may find a few pieces of cremax, which is a darker ivory similar to monax and there are cute peg sherbets in clear.

But be confident that you don’t have to worry about reproductions with American Sweetheart.

Let’s look at some of the other criteria that make up our collecting fun quotient.

#1 You like the pattern

American Sweetheart is beautiful!  If you like the mold etched patterns like Cherry Blossom that have beautiful designs of flowers and leaves, scrolls and swags, then you will like the much safer American Sweetheart.

Plates, bowls, saucers, platters are round with scalloped edges.  The pattern is on the rim, in between sets of three raised ribs and some pieces have the design in the center too.

The design itself is all scrolls and swags; from a distance you may think there are flowers but there are no flowers or leaves at all.  The centers have more scrolls, intricate and beautiful.  This next photo shows close up of a saucer center to give you an idea.

I’m not crazy about pink in general, but if you are a pink fan MacBeth Evans’ pink is a light, clear color, no trace of orange and never muddy or too red.

Liking is personal; I like American Sweetheart!  Let’s give it 9 on a 1-10 scale for #1, You Like the Pattern.

#2  You Will Enjoy Having It and Will Use the Glass

Would you enjoy having a small (or large!) set of pink American Sweetheart?  Would you use this pattern?  You can imagine setting the table with this pretty pattern.  It’s soft, graceful, feminine and lovely.

My one quibble is that American Sweetheart pieces may not mix with other patterns as easily as do some other patterns.  In the photo above the pink Floral Poinsettia plate looks good with the American Sweetheart; both are fairly busy designs, round pieces, thinner glass.  It’s hard to tell but the Sharon in the upper right doesn’t look as nice with the Sweetheart.

I think pink American Sweetheart would clash with heavier, geometric designs like Windsor.  (You can see three table settings with Monax American Sweetheart and other glass here.  American Sweetheart’s unique style looks great by itself. That may be just what you are looking for!

Let’s give pink American Sweetheart a 10 for #2 You Will Enjoy Having It and Will Use the Pieces.

We will pick this back up next time with #3, The Manufacturer Made Many Interesting Pieces.