Reproduction/Fantasy Pieces?

[Walter Anderson]

I was wondering if the reproductions/fantasy pieces of depression glass have any value? I have an Anchor Hocking ice blue miss america butter dish with lid and was wondering if it has any value at all? I have seen repros of the pink sell for over $60 on ebay. Is this a realistic price for these?

 

Thanks,

 

Wally

[Barbara E. Mauzy]

Before I jump in, welcome to the group. Now, I'd like to get the opinions from some group members and then I'll add my thoughts.

Barbara

[vicki hufstetler]

I think the value of a repro is strickly based on "decorative" value. I also feel that any repro needs to be represented as such - with no deceptions.

I steer clear of all repro's. As I prefer the originals. But if I were going to price something like that it would be for very little - Perhaps $10 - $15.

Just my opinion.

[Barbara E. Mauzy]

Thanks, Vicki~~~

Anyone else???

B

[Walter Anderson]

That is how I am leaning. I was just shocked that anyone would pay $60 or more for a repro.

[Barbara E. Mauzy]

In our Depression Glass books I talk about reproductions and values. There are a few reproductions, such as the first generation of Cherry Blossom salt and pepper shakers, that have some real value...if you want CB shakers, you have no other choice. However, we don't provide values for reproductions because largely they are value-less. If someone opts to spent real money on something fake, the seller was quite lucky indeed.

[tomsantiquesetcetera]

My reference book indicates that no blue Miss America( MA) was ever made, therefore what you have is not a reproduction, but rather a newly released (pre-1980s) piece based on the original design, but of other colors. There are no other pieces of blue MA, so nobody can collect it. Therefore your piece has little value except if one likes that color blue.

On the other hand pink is an original color and a covered butter dish in MA is now worth around $400. if you can find one. There are many other pieces of pink and so it is heavily collected. Demand creates value, so your piece of Reproduced MA has some value. $60. sounds reasonable.

[Barbara E. Mauzy]

I have to totally disagree. We have several pieces of Ice Blue Miss America photographed in our new 7th edition.

[Walter Anderson]

I understood that there were pieces of ice blue made but no butter dishes. I assumed that the butter dish was made as a fantasy piece to fill in the gap for collectors of ice blue seeing that Anchor Hocking never made the butter dish in ice blue.  I don't know about Depression Glass but in other collecting areas a repro costing $60 would be a lot.

[Barbara E. Mauzy]

Ultimately the value of anything is determined by the buyer and the seller. The first generation Cherry Blossom salt and pepper shakers sell for hundreds. I feel that $60 for a repro butter dish is high by about $50. That's simply one seller's opinion. Thanks for starting this dialogue!

B

[tomsantiquesetcetera]

My reference book is dated 1986, by Gene Florence. There is one (1) blue footed tumbler in "ice blue" but the picture is much darker blue than the new color.  I also now see references (asteriks) to other "ice blue" pieces but no pictures.   They are: 5.75: plate, sherbet $35.,  Sherbet $35., 10.25" plate $80., tumbler 4" 5 oz juice $80.00. These are 1986 prices. There is also a 6.25" berry bowl cobalt blue, then valued at $135.

Although I didn't say it, I meant that no ice blue (or any blue) covered butter dish was made and therefore what you have is not a reproduction but rather a new (prior to 1986) release.

At these prices and with such few pieces from which to choose collecting a set of ice-blue MA seems highly improbable.  That is my opinion.

[Barbara E. Mauzy]

In our 7th edition (2011) we picture a dinner plate, grill plate, tumbler, and platter in ice blue. We provide the statement that ice blue pieces are worth 10X the values shown in pink. They are rare and covetted. Tom ~ you really need to update your book!

[tomsantiquesetcetera]

They only made so much depression glass. I have other books on the subject, Schroeders, Wambaughs(?), Kovels.

New pieces may be discovered, or worse yet, released. Without a hands on I cannot be certain that the other pieces you listed are true or fake.  DG is soft and warm to the touch where non DG is cold and hard.  Take a piece of DG that you know IS, and a like piece that you know IS NOT and rub thumb and finger on it. Move around so friction doesn't warm the glass or your fingers.  Learn this trick and then go feel your blue DG. You can now tell the difference by touch

You did agree that collecting ice blue DG is difficult at best.