By Cyndy Bullard

Getting Started

Pleasing oneself is the reason for collecting

Getting that first piece of milk glass takes us on an unimaginable journey. Whether you like going to Thrift Stores aka Thrifting, Antique Malls, Flea markets or auctions, you will meet and enjoy the company of many others who share your enthusiasm. When you’re alone at home, of course, you do your hunting on line.  Hopefully, some advice drawn from my own experience and that of others may provide some practical guidance and information to help the beginner avoid making costly blunders, as well as tips on what to collect, where to find it and whom to trust.

First of all, after you have picked up and fallen in love with that one piece, or several, begin to learn about it. There is so much to learn about glass — from the historical perspective, the glass houses that made it, the patterns and glass treatments.

Since the NMGCS website was first built, we have seen many changes in how we collect and the reliability of source attribution and information. We can now access collectors on face book who can provide instant identification.   We must make sure, however, that information comes from a reliable source. Several face book sites are identifying pieces from catalogs, etc. and are creating files accessible for members.  As information is more readily obtainable, look to original sources, such as dated company catalogs, and ads from the early Glass Journals. Buy those glass books- there are books on era, type of glass, the company that made it and on and on. Buy what you can and of the glass you are interested in. Check them out from the library if you can’t afford them. Collectors have stepped forward to engage in serious research of materials that were previously unavailable. The Corning Museum and Library at Corning, New York is an excellent place to start as they have a world renowned collection of catalogs and resources. Books in general are well researched, but do have the occasional error.

When buying on line, be skeptical of identifications made by sellers.  Many may be correct, but many others are not. Double check and use resources to make sure.  Don’t take information at face value unless you have previous knowledge or can check with an expert. Spend time scrolling through various sites and looking at the pieces. What do you see over and over? What do you only see one of?

Some collectors collect glass made only by one company or era or color or whatever they fancy. There is no correct way to collect, but for many of us it starts a kind of sequence. Maybe it starts with a Hen on a nest covered dish (You will see Hens abbreviated HON and covered dishes called CDs) or a bud vase or a serving bowl. Then one finds out who made it, when and where. Next could be other hens or vases or bowls.  Then, find out what the patterns are from each company. Many of us started with something contemporary and work back in time to pieces from the Civil War era. That can lead to a favorite time period, pattern, color or style. Learn about the companies and their histories.

Values and Insurance

A frequently asked question is “How much is it worth?” This could be debated forever. If you look back at what has happened to prices since mid-century, very common milk glass was never very expensive. Older pieces like ones in Belknap and Lee always seemed to be more costly. In the late 1900s, milk glass mimicked more expensive porcelain that only the well to do could afford. Among collectors, some hard to find milk glass could be very expensive. There was no internet, no way to know about them except to hunt and gather across the many antique shops. Also popular were and still are auctions. Newspapers, periodicals, and magazines that advertised were common forms of communication before the internet. Some of these journals and periodicals are available today and are a rich source of advertisements from glass making companies.

In the 1950s -1970s, prices were moderate, even for rarer pieces.  Prices were going up throughout the 1980s, and buyers paid very high prices for items in shops up through 2000s until the Recession of 2008. In those early years of the internet, the more common pieces were sold on eBay and prices started to come down as its popularity grew as a selling modality. Long time collectors trying to sell their pieces now are very disappointed in the prices realized. At one time, prices were going up, but for all but the rarest, prices now are fairly low to moderate or have even tanked in some areas or are not even marketable. The increasing cost of postage has again reduced on line sales and prices for those inexpensive items.

Up until recently, collectors were advised to insure their collections. In today’s market, this is not really necessary unless you are fortunate to have some of the truly rare pieces. Most insurance companies require a rider with individual photos and listing of pieces, and with a deductible, may be debatable as to its need.

When buying on the secondary market, knowing what your item is going for across different sites is helpful. Scrolling thru Etsy, Ruby Lane, and eBay sold or active items can be very helpful in this. Then you can see what the range of prices might be and decide how much you want to spend on any particular item.  You will soon see what items are very common. One can always set a personal budget and stay within that budget. Set aside some $ when you can, so you will always have a little Milk Glass Money in your kitchen drawer.

What about price guides or book values, you ask? Price guides are out of date as soon as printed.  They do provide an interesting look at what prices were at the time of publication but are not relevant for today’s market. Prices vary by geographical location, availability, and what you pay depends on your own budget.

If you are asking, “Should I buy it?”; ask yourself, Do I really love it, does it appeal to me and can I afford it and even, will it fit in my collection, or do I have room for it? Am I just buying it all because it is on the shelf at the local thrift store? Is it special enough to complement your pieces? If you really want it, go for it, but you and you alone can tell if it is the right price and the right piece. Experienced collectors would encourage the purchase of one perfect, higher quality piece over 3 mediocre pieces with chips and dings. If a less expensive one is all you can afford, you can always upgrade later.  Also look for what are called “Marriages” where the top does not match the bottom. Many tops and bottoms are interchangeable, so it can get confusing. We all have regrets over pieces we left behind. But the truth is that there will always be another piece of milk glass! So much was made the odds are good the same one will come around again and be cheaper next time!

A couple other tips may be helpful.  Don’t buy everything in sight if just starting out. Be planful and thoughtful about what you want and can use. We all buy “tuition pieces”; pieces we regretted later, spent too much for, found out were not identified correctly, or were just not what was wanted.

Collectors may tell you to save up your money and only buy the best and most expensive item you can. That is certainly a good way to collect. Other times it is fun to buy those smaller, less expensive or less rare pieces that you want for your collection. Either way works, but it is wise to set aside some slush fund dollars for attending conventions and auctions so you can buy that special piece.

Old Paint: Remove it or not?

Many collectors would not dream of removing vestiges of old paint from century old items. It may help date the item and enhance its beauty. Many pieces tell its intended purpose “Happy Easter”, “Happy Birthday”, “World’s Fair 1907” are just a couple examples. Old paint gives historical perspective.

Other collectors want the milk glass for its white look and don’t care for darkened old paint that makes it look dirty or detracts from the mould work.

Either view is acceptable. Remember you purchased it, it is yours and you are free to do with it as you wish. There is no right or wrong.

Conventions

Conventions remain one venue that brings people together to share collections, information, and experience seminars given by other collectors. The National Milk Glass Collectors Society continues to have an annual convention even though it seems many forces are conspiring to interfere with this activity. With the Internet and availability of instant communication, several clubs are no longer hosting conventions. The NMGCS will continue to host a convention although necessary changes will be made to reduce costs to members and the Society. The Convention includes seminars, the annual Auction, Show and Tell, a member sale room where dealers sell glass, trips to museums to see glass displays and time for socialization. The evening Banquet concludes with members talking about their favorite glass.

Becoming a member has benefits of receiving the Opaque Newsletter quarterly at a very low cost.  The Society also commissions an annual Commemorative in the shape of an animal covered dish. You have access to buy/sell page in the Opaque News where you can see what is for sale or sell your own items. The Annual Auction is some of the most fun you will ever have besides an opportunity to acquire hard to find and rare pieces. To join, go to www.nmgcs.org

Gems from our Gurus of the Society

From time to time, we assemble some gems of wisdom from the long-time milk glass collectors to pass along to those who are beginners. Here are a few more which may be helpful to you if you are just starting out.

“Don’t place too much reliance on price guides, as for many reasons they can be misleading. Go, instead, for books that will inform you of objects, categories, makers, history. You will educate yourself so that you will become your own best guide as to the rarity and value of pieces.” Betty Giddens 

“When possible, attend the NMGCS annual convention. Mingle with other collectors, make friends, ask questions, compare experiences, and look at pictures of pieces in other collections. Pick their brains! There is a wealth of knowledge there for you to take advantage of!” Helen & George Storey 

“You can sometimes acquire a great piece of milk glass in a roundabout way. See if there is a local historical society or an antique study group in your area, and join it. Granted it may not be focused on milk glass, but you will find that most collectors will keep in mind what others collect and will let you know when they see some milk glass you might like to buy. The part of this, of course, is that they themselves will not be competing with you for the same piece.” Faye Crider

“Beginners are often cautioned to beware of ‘marriages,’ where a cover made by one manufacturer and a base by another are joined in a union that was never meant to be. One should be aware, however, of the difference between such ‘marriages of convenience’ made accidentally (or intentionally) through the years as opposed to factory originated correct combinations which might seem ‘wrong’ only because they are rare variants.” Mary Ferson 

“As Is”.  Now there are two words that will always stir up a debate among collectors and dealers. Many collectors will only have pieces that are in pristine condition. Others will seek out “as is” pieces because they are generally available at greatly reduced prices. And then there is that group in between who will buy an “as is” piece, but only one that is very hard to find or scarce. The debate among collectors usually boils down to two points. If you strive only for the finest quality pieces, you might face a slower expansion of your collection. Or, if you make select purchases of “as is” pieces you will expand your collection rapidly are old with or our collection with a chance to possibly upgrade at a later date. As with most issues, it comes down to personal choice.” John & Kathy Vosevich

My advice to new collectors is to focus your collecting to manufacturers, country of origin, time period, or type of glass. If your collecting isn’t focused, you may end up with an accumulation rather than a collection.  My second bit of advice is buy what you like, but be discriminating.  Jeff Swantek

I don’t have any permanent display, I rotate what I want to feature, often according to season or just my mood. Everything is stored in labeled boxes. I keep a list of everything and WHERE IT IS which is very helpful. Since I don’t have one big place to store things, this is really handy. Since I often refer to my photos and notes on each item (I keep them on PowerPoint) I have begun adding where each item is stored to that reference too. I find I like that system. At a glance I have the photo, the notes, price, purchase date and where it is all on one slide. Ellen Valtri Knauer

I rotate my glass so some is always put away. I mainly go by the colors of the season and by the major holidays. So I have a couple closed cabinets where they are. I have had to start boxing up some e.g. my Halloween glass is in a plastic bin all labeled so I can just go get it when it’s time to put them up.  Cyndy Bullard