If you enjoy blue depression glass then you’ll like Moderntone from Hazel Atlas. This pattern has a lovely, simple shape, with horizontal bands stacked one atop the other, square-ish handles, round shapes and best of all, Hazel Atlas made it in both this stunning blue and amethyst. I have never seen amethyst Moderntone, so we’ll concentrate on the blue color.
Hazel Atlas made Moderntone in both transparent colors from 1934 to 1942, then remade the design in their Platonite solid white glass coated with colors in the late 1940s and 1950s. You’ll see the white or white with colors called Moderntone Platonite.
I used to see quite a lot of the cobalt blue Moderntone when we shopped for glass in Michigan or Indiana. It was quite easy to find most of the basic pieces – plates, cups and saucers, creamer and sugar – although bowls and most serving pieces were not abundant. We saw more cream soup bowls than regular bowls without handles.
Hazel Atlas used the same blue color on Moderntone as on Aurora, New Century and Royal Lace and as the photo below shows, they can work well together. Tumbler and creamer are Aurora. This blue looks wonderful paired with green glass too, as with the Fostoria center handled server.
Moderntone plates and bowls have solid, plain centers with the stacked design on the rims. Be sure to check pieces for wear, hold them up to the light and look for scratches or general surface wear. Patterns with plain centers can show wear more than do patterns with busy designs in the centers. Next photo shows the wear one may find. One plate had so much wear it was almost gray.
If you order online it’s wise to ask the seller about surface wear as it is easy to miss. Also check rims around the top and foot and handles for wear or nicks. The stacked motif on the rims can wear down plates that are stacked on top; always stack with a paper towel or big coffee filter between pieces.
Outside of bowls and some serving pieces, Moderntone remains more affordable than many blue depression patterns. Dinner plates are usually under $20, cup and saucer sets under $10, less if you buy in multiples or small sets. Bowls are harder to find and costly. I am not aware of any Moderntone reproductions.
All in all, if you like blue and Moderntone’s stacked style it’s a good pattern to collect now.