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Publisher’s Corner

Who’s Buying Glass These Days?
Publisher
very year when we start work on our annual which keeps this segment of Maxine Carter-Lome
Glass issue we challenge ourselves to find topics, the glass market still desirable maxine@journalofantiques.com
Emakers, and glass types not previously explored and fascinating to watch, with Business Manager
in past issues. What we have found over the years is the auction houses still setting auction Jeffrey Lome
more we look the more we find, which is why the records. Maxine Carter-Lome jeffrey@journalofantiques.com
subject of glass never gets old or out of style, although So who is buying all the other glassware for sale at Managing Editor
what we collect and value does, in some instances. flea markets, antique shows, and at auction these days? Judy Gonyeau
When it comes to holding and increasing in value, The Asheford study seems to suggest it is younger editorial@journalofantiques.com
glass has seemingly fallen into the same category as buyers, ages 20-40; Glass rates 12 out of 14 among Contributing Writer
brown furniture and china. Walk the fields and floors their requested/purchased category segments. While Erica P. Lome
of antique collectibles shows and flea markets and this label encompasses antique art glass objects as well
you see vendor booths filled with beautiful and noted as traditional glassware, it also shows an appreciation Sales Representatives
glassware selling for a fraction of previous values only a among younger collectors for the beauty and craft of Pat Rainka
decade or so go. hand-blown glass from another era. It also means that journalofantiques@gmail.com
In our February 2020 Americana issue, we new collectors can now build strong collections, Judy Gonyeau
published the 2019 Survey Results for the Antiques affordably, ahead of a hopeful resurgence in interest editorial@journalofantiques.com
& Decorative Arts, conducted by Asheford Institute of and value down the road. Art Director
Antiques, based on an informal survey they conduct This survey also shows 20-40 year-old buyers Lynn Cotterman
each year within the antiques community reflecting connect with different eras. Among their Top 14 at ads@journalofantiques.com
their sales and requests for particular items/genre/ No. 3 is Mid-Century Modern. Also on the list is Production
periods. The survey is insightful because it not only Art Nouveau at No. 13 and Art Deco at No. 14. Jill Montague
looks at what is selling but also who is buying by age This interest in glass and specific periods will also
groups 20-40, 40-60, and 60-80. When it comes to inevitably introduce collectors to some of the lesser- Administrative Assistant
“glass,” the results suggest a story and opportunity known or collected artists and glass manufacturers of Susan French
contrary to the current narrative that collecting tradi- these eras, raising their visibility, and eventually the info@journalofantiques.com
tional antique and vintage glassware today is being value of their items. 508-347-1960
passed over in favor of more contemporary forms of art If I look at the glass market as half full, I would say
glass and items for decorative display. interest in era-based collecting among younger buyers Toll free:
It is true that among buyers 60-80, glass is and an excessive inventory that makes building a new 888-698-0734
no longer on their active buying list, which is collection affordable only bodes well for the future of
reinforced by the Survey results. Ironically, these were antique and vintage glass. Fax: 508-347-0911
the collectors that at the turn of the millennia were While what and who is collected may change, the Mailing:
driving the market for antique glass. As a generation of resilience of glass will stand the test of time, and P. O. Box 950
ardent collectors, they did the foundation research, continue to be valued as a material expression Sturbridge, MA 01566
shared their knowledge with fellow collectors, and and reflection of the era in which it was made. For E-mail:
wrote the resource books on the history of 19th to collectors and glass lovers, we celebrate, once again, info@journalofantiques.com
mid-20th century glass makers and manufacturing the never-ending stories, history, objects, and
companies in America. They formed collector clubs makers behind the allure of American antique and UPS and FedEx
across the country, put on shows and sales, vintage glass. Shipping Address:
46 Hall Road
documented their finds, and preserved provenance. Sturbridge, MA 01566
Among their collections reside rare, complete, and best
examples of their subjects of interest for the benefit of Journal of
future generations of collectors. Maxine Carter-Lome, Publisher Antiques and Collectibles
In the bigger context of the changing antiques is published monthly,
marketplace, I would suggest that the primary reason Coming Next Month … 12 times per year, by
for this decline in glass buying among 60-80 year-old Weathervane Enterprises, Inc.
buyers of antiques has less to do with their waning 46 Hall Road
interest in collecting than the physical down-sizing Signature Collectibles Sturbridge MA 01566.
of their lives, and the amount of space a glassware Issue Ad Deadline Mailing Date Periodicals postage paid at
collection can take up. Collectors in this age category Sturbridge MA.
tend to be ready to thin out their collections to May April 8 April 17
accommodate a change in living space or sell off items June May 6 May 15 POSTMASTER:
to fund their retirement after typically decades of active July June 10 June 19 Send address changes to
collecting. Most long-time collectors will tell you that August July 8 July 17 The Journal of Antiques
only something elusive, rare, or highly desirable brings and Collectibles
them to market these days. ISSN: (1539-5618)
As these buyers withdraw from collecting they leave Available in P.O. Box 950
behind what is often impressive and sizable collections, March 2020 | Vol. XX No. 12 journalofantiques.com Sturbridge, MA 01566
which have flooded a market made up of younger Print and Digital
Vol. XVI No. 11 January 2016 www.journalofantiques.com The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
Vol. XVI No. 11 January 2016 www.journalofantiques.com
buyers who, until now, have shown little interest in in Time reserves the right to reject any advertising that
A Stitch
2016 Show Directory to Florida On the Road
collecting antique glassware. While this has led to a Formats does not comply with our standards. The
Journal will not be liable for any errors or
general devaluing of 19th and early 20th century omissions but will print a correction in the
American cut glass, pressed glass, carnival glass, elegant Subscribe following issue if notification of such error is
2000-2020 Passing on a Collection 20th sent by the appropriate deadline. Original
Anniversary
Guiding the Next Generation
glass, milk glass, and Depression glass, it has also Anniversary Issue Paging Mr. Fix-It 2000-2020 manuscripts are welcomed by qualified
with Terry Kovel

introduced into auction and museum collections rare journalofantiques.com writers. We assume no responsibility for loss
of unsolicited material.
and unique examples previously unknown and unseen, Copyright 2020
All rights reserved
6 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles