Movie Time – How to Tell Depression Glass from Elegant Glass

This Vernon cup is clear depression glass – but it looks etched.  How can you tell when etched-looking glass is depression glass vs. etched elegant glass?

One method is to feel the design.

Is the design raised on the outside?  Then it is mold etched and depression glass.  Mold etched glass was mass produced and needed little to no hand work.

Is the design inset into the surface of the glass?  Then it is etched and would be elegant glass.

Please be aware some people consider a few etched patterns, such as Paden City’s Cupid, to be “depression glass”.  Sometimes this designation came from a noted author including a pattern in a book or the pattern became well-known when people first began collecting depression glass.