Antiques - Vintage Glassware

You may have always wanted to start an Antique collection of some sort but you don't know what to collect or what to look for. Vintage glass is a very popular type of collectable that is hunted out by many collectors and would-be collectors of anything antique. The hunt is exciting and can be very rewarding when you go into the flea market, garage sales, estate sales and thrift stores knowing what you're looking for. If you would like to start a vintage glassware collection, here are some pieces you can try to search out and bring home.

Vaseline Glass - Vaseline glass (like the petroleum jelly), also called "the magic glass" because it gives off a unique yellow-green glow within. The glow was from radio-active uranium dioxide that was added to the molten glass in such small amounts that it is not considered harmful. Vaseline glass was originally made in Bohemia then used in the United States in the 1840's in candle sticks, plates and more. American manufacturers of Vaseline glass included Brockunier and Company, Hobbs, Northwood and Company and Jefferson Glass. Prices for Vaseline glass can range from $25 to $75 per piece. Rarer types can cost as much as $400.

Fire King is a depression glass that was made between the 1940's until 1976. The Fire King pieces were considered a little plain but beautiful with colors like Azur-ite (blue), Jade-ite (pale green), forest green, red, white, pink and ivory. Anchor Hocking of Ohio originally made the glass in the 1940's and bragged that their dishes were suitable for oven-to-table use. Fire King mixing bowls can sell for $100 or more and a pitcher will cost you at least $700.

Mercury glass is one of the most unusual and sought-out vintage glasses. Also known as silvered glass, it is hand-blown and made to have a double wall created so that the silver or mercury compound could be poured into the space between the walls. The excess silver was drained off and the hole in between the "walls" was stopped with a cork, lead or glass plug to prevent tarnishing and water seepage. Most collectable pieces of Mercury glass came from France, England and the United States between 1850 and 1920.