Green Satin – Block Optic Frosted Depression Glass

Have you seen or felt satin depression glass?  This cup is Block Optic green glass from the early 1930s that Hocking Glass treated with camphoric acid to give it the lovely frosted look.

I’ve read that frosted depression glass was not popular during the 1970s and 80s when collecting this glassware took off.  That’s hard to understand because the satin treatment gave the glass a luster and a wonderful texture.

Back in 1999 when I started in business we went to an antique festival (I had no idea what I was doing by the way) and a lady with a gorgeous booth of glass sold me four sets of Block Optic green satin cups and saucers.  Since then no more have crossed my path until this past week when we picked up several sets.  I like the frosted Block Optic glass much better than the plain so it was a fun purchase.

Oddly, the saucers in regular Block Optic are scarce but seem less scarce in the frosted glass.  I don’t know if that’s true or just a coincidence.  Many Hocking patterns lack a saucer, or the saucer is hard to find, so people use the sherbet plate under cups.  You’ll want to be aware of this if you collect Block Optic since some sellers list the 6″ sherbet plate as a saucer.  Here is the true saucer in frosted Block Optic; you can see the cup ring.

Cups and saucers make great gifts for tea drinkers or coffee lovers.  Even people who don’t collect depression glass enjoy the look and feel of something a little special and a  set that has the history and memories like this would be a perfect gift this Christmas.