You will be shocked by the value of Anchor Hocking depression glass today

Named for the nearby Hocking River, the Hocking Glass Company was founded in 1905 in Lancaster, Ohio, by Isaac Collins and some associates. In its first year of operation, the company produced and sold up to $20,000 worth of glass pieces (the equivalent of about $516,000 today). In 1929, with the arrival of a machine that automatically pressed glass, Hocking became the largest producer of what we today call Depression Glass, an elegant but inexpensively produced glassware that sold for about 4 to 25 cents piece.

The Miss America design (pictured here; plates courtesy of Replacements, Inc.), produced between 1935 and 1937, proved to be one of the company’s best-sellers. It’s available in pink, crystal, green, ice blue and red in plates, tumblers, pitchers and more. After surviving the Depression, Hocking Glass merged with Anchor Cap and Closure to become the Anchor Hocking Company, as its name remains today.

Appraiser Marsha Dixey of Heritage Auctions* notes that in general, the value of Miss America design pieces has declined nearly 30 percent since 2008, but a full service for eight can cost up to $1,000 , depending on the color. Pink is the most popular color among collectors today.

Many individual pieces are available for less than $10, but serving pieces such as vegetable bowls, platters, condiment plates, compotes, and water glasses or cups sell for $15 to $20 and sometimes more. For example, a large bowl of fruit might fetch a bidding price of $35. She notes that, as with most glass, condition plays an important role in value.

*Appraisal values updated as of March 2024 by appraiser Marsha Dixey of Heritage Auctions. These values were collected by averaging auction prices from different sources and may differ from prices for the same item offered for sale by a private dealer. The value of an auction is more or less based on the rarity, condition and desirability (auction activity) of a specific maker, shape or model.

A Brief History of Anchor Hocking

Here are some highlights of the company’s heritage.

1938: Royal Ruby

Deep red Royal Ruby premieres under the new company name Anchor Hocking.

Royal Ruby Anchor Hocking Creamer, all images in this historical section are illustrations on a blue and white gingham background. — Illustration by Melinda Josie

1942: Jadeite

Hello Jadeite! The Fire-King brand of oven-safe borosilicate glass is hitting shelves. Find out what this precious bowl passed down from your grandmother is worth in our jadeite collecting guide.