Royal Lace (Depression glass)

How to read it

Hazel-Atlas was formed in 1902, when the Hazel Glass Company and the Atlas Glass and Metal Company merged, and was based in Wheeling, West Virginia. It began with glass containers before turning to kitchenware and tumblers; a trade journal called it the “World’s Largest Tumbler Factory” in 1928. Rosemary Trietsch, writing for the National Depression Glass Association, says Royal Lace was first made in green, pink and crystal, and only crystal was made for the whole run. Antique Trader gives the same years and lists cobalt blue, crystal, green, pink and some amethyst. The pattern came as a full service, with round and oval vegetable bowls, a platter, salt and pepper shakers, a creamer and a covered sugar, and sherbets either all glass or as a glass insert in a metal holder. Blue Royal Lace is among the most sought-after Depression glass, Trietsch says, with green and pink closing the gap.

Also searched as: royal lace cobalt, royal lace depression glass.

How the blue came in

Trietsch dates Ritz Blue in Royal Lace to 1936 and retells a story from the research of Hazel Marie Weatherman. Hazel-Atlas had a contract with General Mills to make Shirley Temple sets, and when General Mills ended the promotion, the company was left with vats of blue glass and no buyer. The glass went into the Royal Lace moulds instead. Blue sold so well that green and pink production dwindled.