Depression Glass by Duncan (Schiffer Book for Collectors) by Leslie Pina is a cross between one of those big coffee table books where you ooh and ah over the pictures and a glass guide. Duncan Miller made some gorgeous glass during the 1930s and 40s and this book shows many pieces from several patterns.
This book is not a comprehensive pattern guide. You will find good pictures and information for Sandwich, Hobnail, Teardrop, Canterbury and tantalizing glimpses of swans, Sylvan pattern, stemware, animals, candles and baskets.
I found this very helpful when we had a large set of Duncan Miller Sandwich and needed to know the right names for some rare pieces. And it allowed me to identify my Sylvan leaf candy dish which is gorgeous. And some of my swans and animal figurines found their place with this book.
But don’t buy this expecting to have a pattern-by-pattern account of stemware. It’s not there. You need to look elsewhere for Duncan’s etchings and full range of stemware shapes and dinnerware pieces.
Nonetheless I do recommend this book. Sadly Duncan Miller is not so well known nor are their glass patterns as established in collectors’ hearts as companies like Fostoria or Cambridge. One reason is there are few (as in hardly any) books on Duncan and good books make research, shopping and enjoyment much much easier.
This book is very good if you have a habit like mine of buying pretty glass hoping to eventually find a name, or you enjoy reading books about glass companies that are well-written and well-illustrated.