The two questions I get the most are 1) “What is it?” and 2) “What is it worth?”. I’m happy to help with the first question – sometimes I can identify glass or point someone in the right direction – but there is very little I can do with the value question. What I can do is provide you tips and resources to determine worth.
Tips to Value Glass
Condition Condition Condition. If your glass is cracked, cloudy or chipped, figure it is essentially worthless. If your glass is perfect then you can use the resources and rules of thumb to get an idea of value.
Context. Value in terms of selling glass is different – usually less – than value in terms of valuing an estate. That’s because it takes time and money to sell glass and because you need to think about the buyer. That brings us to the next tip.
Value is in the Eye of the Buyer. Think who will buy your glass. If you sell it as a set, or as a lot of many pieces, you will almost always get less than if you sell pieces individually. Thus a set of 50 pieces of Sharon pink glass might be worth $200, while the separate pieces might total $400. The reason is that most collectors aren’t looking for sets and your likely buyer for a large lot is a dealer. Dealers must pay less than they will sell for or they won’t be dealers very long.
This works in your favor if you want to sell your glass instead of getting an idea of value for estate purposes. A dealer may be willing to buy everything, all at once, which is far easier than trying to piece it out and selling on eBay!
Identify Your Glass to Determine Value. Values vary by pattern and piece, so it’s wise to know what you have before you try to valuate it. Undistinguished, generic glass without a unique, pretty design or pleasing shape sells for very little if at all.
If You Get Desperate. If you can’t identify your glass, then here are very rough rules of thumb: Dinner plates run somewhere in the $10 to $40 range. Goblets are $5 to $50; sherbets are $5 to $30. Cups with saucers are $5 to $30.
Resources
This Blog. Check out these posts: Think Like a Buyer. How to Sell Glass Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Describe Damage.
Replacements.Com Replacements has thousands of glass patterns photographed or with line drawings and many have pieces with prices. Even when Replacements doesn’t show your particular piece, if you can find the pattern you can get a general idea of value by comparing to others. They also have a pattern identification service.
Books. The front page of this blog has my favorite books listed, Florence’s Encyclopedia of Depression Glass, Florence’s Elegant Glassware of the Depression Era, Coe and Coe’s Elegant Glass. Your library may have these or similar books which can give you an idea of pattern and value.
Note on Book Pricing. Authors’ book prices are for perfect, mint condition glass only. They also are rough guides at best so don’t rely on them. Realize that many glass pieces have declined in value over the past 10 years so many book prices are on the high side.
eBay Sold Prices. When you know your pattern then look at eBay, but be sure to check only the listings that sold. Lots of the listings there are mis-priced. I find Replacements is a bit more accurate, if a bit on the high side, while the eBay prices reflect many factors and may tend to be low.
Appraisers. An ethical appraiser will insist on hands-on work only and will never agree to appraise based on photos. You might get a ballpark or “book value for this item is” type of valuation based on a photo.
Sell at Auction. Auctions are hit or miss, I know, but if you take your glass to a good auctioneer who handles antiques, he will likely get a decent price for you. Remember the value is in the eyes of the buyer, and the auction price reflects this.
I wish you very good luck!
Getting Identification Help. Post photos on our Facebook page and ask for help.