Some Depression glass patterns announce themselves immediately. A rose fills a molded panel. An octagonal plate catches the light. Delicate scrollwork runs around a scalloped rim. Once you learn those visual clues, a shelf of old colored glass stops looking like an assortment of pink and green dishes and begins separating into recognizable families.
That is one of the pleasures of learning Depression glass patterns. Color matters, but pattern is often the stronger identification tool. Mayfair, Princess, Cherry Blossom, Madrid, American Sweetheart, and Royal Lace each developed a visual identity distinctive enough that collectors can often recognize them before turning a piece over.
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