The Times

Wednesday, January 19, 1977, page 17 (of 31)

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A butter dish worth $2 in 1930 now sells for more than $750. From the depths of the Depression comes a minor fortune

By KAY SEVERINSEN Staff Writer In the 1930s, a woman bought a set of dishes and a butter dish for just under $2. Today, the butter dish, a deep aquamarine edged with a Dorie Pansy design, is worth more than $750. Why? The dish is made of depression glass, and recently, hoards of eager collectors around the country have sent the price on former junkware sky high. Dinnerware of colored glass was a 1930s innovation. The pieces were cast in molds that gave the appearance of acid etching, without the expense. A display of rare and beautiful depression glass will be presented at a South Florida Depression Glass Club Show and sale, Feb. 5 and 6 at the North Miami Armory, 13250 NE Eighth Ave. Mark Nye, a South Dade resident and chairman of the South Florida Depression Glass Club, says there are about 80 major patterns for depression glassware. "In the 20s, everyone ate from clear glass plates. They wouldn't even think of using colored glass," Nye explains. "But colored glass became popular in the late 20s and early 30s. By the late 30s, it had died out." Nye has a collection of more than 500 Green Madrid plates worth about $15 each, he says. He's been working on his collection for three years and is still trying to get a complete service for 12. Depression glass was used to make just about everything, Nye says, from cups and bowls, to dishes, stemmed goblets, lazy susans and ashtrays. "It's getting more and more difficult to find depression glass," he said. "Almost everyone knows its value now." But that doesn't mean people don't still find bargains. One glass aficionado found a red creamer and sugar set for $40 dollars at a flea market. Such a set would normally sell for about $150 or more. The customer quickly plunked down his money and tried to leave before the seller could change his mind. "Wait," the vendor cried. "There's more." And he pulled out a complete service for four, all for the original $40. Depression glass items were made for the mass market, Nye says, but the rarest items are those that probably weren't sold in stores. "My rarest piece is a lazy susan made in a red sweetheart pattern," he says. "I know of only three others in existence, but I'm sure there are probably more. The susan was probably a premium given to salesmen who made their quotas." Exchanging such tidbits of historical information is what the club is all about, Nye explains. The club has around 150 members and meets monthly to exchange bargain hunting stories and information and display new finds.

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gourmet goodies ... marion richey

Nothing enhances the appetite more than gathering some of the ingredients yourself and, if shod with a pair of rubber boots, you can gather your own watercress almost anywhere in the English countryside. This piquant relative of the mustard family adds a pungent flavor to soups, salads or meat dishes. Cream of watercress soup One bunch of watercress, large One pound of potatoes Two tablespoons butter Two pints of boiling water Two egg yolks Half cup heavy cream One small onion, chopped fine Very little salt and pepper to taste Reserve about four stalks of watercress then chop remainder of bunch and saute in butter with onion until softened. You can do this in the pot you will make the soup in. Add boiling water and peeled and sliced potatoes, simmer over low heat for 25 minutes, cool a little then blend until smooth. While still warm add egg yolks, stir well then add cream, return to soup pot and add leaves from reserved watercress. Bring to just below the boiling point and serve hot. Watercress salad One bunch watercress One third cup oil Two tablespoons vinegar Quarter teaspoon paprika Salt and pepper to taste Clean, drain and dry watercress then blend remaining ingredients for dressing and add to salad just before serving. Lemon juice can be used instead of vinegar. Watercress can be added to potato salad to give it a