With our focus on depression glass you might wonder whether glass companies continued to produce dinnerware or accessory pieces after the 1930s. They certainly did, although the styles and colors changed, and companies often made smaller sets than we saw with depression glass.
We used to see Park Avenue at estate auctions. It’s an appealing, simple pattern, mostly found in tumblers. We bought a set for ourselves and enjoyed using them, but somehow I never got a photo!
This is the serving size bowl, about 8 1/2 inches across. You can see the interesting design with the bold ribs that meet at the base to form a square base with ridges.
Federal Park Avenue Crystal Large Bowl
For some reason Federal Glass didn’t make a lunch set or even any plates or cups whatsoever! Instead you will find five sizes of tumblers; the 9 ounce 4 inch tall size is the most common in our area, the larger bowl shown, smaller bowls the size we use for ice cream, ashtrays and a candle holder. Isn’t that an odd combination for a glass pattern?
Federal made lots and lots of clear Park Avenue plus some pretty yellow pieces and even some flashed cranberry, green and blue. I’ve seen clear and yellow but never any other colors. We don’t go to auctions or estate sales very often any more (since I’m trying to decrease my glass inventory) and maybe we would see more colors if we were in the market.
If you like Park Avenue or would like to add vintage tumblers or bowls to your home, then this is a great pattern to choose. Pieces are inexpensive and fairly plentiful. I looked on eBay this morning and found large sets of tumblers and bowl sets for as little as $2-3 per item including shipping. This glass has good looks and it goes well with your plain square or round dinnerware. My only caution is to be careful if you wash this in the dishwasher because vintage glass can suffer from high drying temperatures.