These are examples of Depression Glass. When my parents went to our local movie theater, the Claridge on Avenue P in Brooklyn, New York, on Friday or Saturday night there would be a large display of glass dinnerware in the lobby.
The admission ticket would be worth a few points towards toward acquiring a piece. I’m just guessing but you might get the red plate for 10 points. The bowl would be a lot more. Anchor and Hocking (they merged later on) were some of the firms that produced these pieces. They could supply the theater with a small plate for about four cents.
My parents, apparently, went enough times to the Claridge on Saturday nights to acquire an entire set of red dinnerware similar in color to the one in the picture. They were our fancy guest service. I didn’t really like them. Food was slippery on the glassy surfaces. Also, the wine appeared so dark that you couldn’t tell what you were drinking. Depression glass is collectable today and occasionally I see a nice piece at the Salvation Army store in Santa Monica. The bowel cost about $15.
WHAT IS IT?
(Editor’s note: Palisades resident Howard Yonet has an interesting collection of curios from around the world and with his permission, Circling the News is publishing one a week. About the collector: Dr. Howard Yonet was born in Brooklyn in 1934 and attended Brooklyn College. He went to Baylor Medical School and then returned to do an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Yonet completed his residency at the Manhattan V.A. and the Montefiore Hospital. During this time he went skiing in Vermont and the Catskills, and while traveling found barns filled with early American pieces. This led to his interest in American Antiques.
In 1965, he married Daniele, who was originally from Nancy, France. During the Vietnam War, Yonet was drafted as a medical officer and stationed in Landstuhl, Germany (1966-1969). This was close to the French border, which meant he and Daniele and could visit her family.
While abroad, the Yonets took weekend trips through France and Italy, purchasing many interesting pieces at flea markets.
The family settled in Pacific Palisades in 1970 and Yonet practiced general radiology until 2006. He continued to acquire antiques and collectables at estate and garage sales and the Salvation Army Store. He also enjoyed looking for collectibles while traveling in Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Massachusetts. Daniele’s family helped add to his collection.)
LOVE IT!! I have some pieces of the “Ruby Red”…….I love them.
They make my Christmas table look so festive. However, I know what Howard was referring to re: “red” goblets make the liquid so dark. But! still a very pretty setting for the Holiday.