Milk Glass Collections

One type of glass sought by collectors is milk glass.  Although it gets its name because of the various white types of glass objects, includes other colors like blue, pink, yellow, brown, and black.  It is used in a variety of items including vases, bowls, and goblets.  White milk glass is colored with white pigment that includes fluorite.  This can cause it go glow when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Milk glass has a lot of history behind it.  The first milk glass was produced in Venice back in the 16th century.  Most pieces that can be found today were produced in the late 1800s.

Original antique items made from milk glass are worth a lot of money.  This has caused a lot of reproductions to be created.  Many people spend money on a reproduction only to later discover they have been ripped off.  It pays to learn to tell the difference between an original item made from milk glass and a reproduction.

One way to tell is too look at the bottom of the item to discover a patent date or a company name.  Finding this information tells you how long the object has been around.  If the item has a lot of wear, odds are it is older.  It may be a good idea to buy a pricing guide for milk glass so you have a good idea of the colors and patterns.

To make sure you are getting an original object made from milk glass, ask for the history of the item.  By learning the history, you can figure out whether the object is authentic or a reproduction.  Antique shops and older relatives should have some original pieces of milk glass that you can add to your collection.

One of the highest price types of milk glass to collect are the hard to find McKee animal covered dishes.  Therefore, you will find a lot of copies available.  To make sure you are getting an original, it is best to use a reference guide such as Opaque News.

Consider joining a group of milk glass collectors, such as the National Milk Glass Collectors Society.  This group has annual conventions that you can attend.  You may be able discover rare pieces available because of production errors at glass companies.

If you’re just getting started collecting milk glass, find a dealer who has a good reputation.  Talk to the dealer.  Talk to someone who has been collecting milk glass for awhile.  An enthusiast will not hesitate to share his wealth of knowledge.