Vaseline Glass Plate Value Guide

Vaseline glass plates are highly prized by collectors for their distinctive greenish-yellow hue and historical use of uranium oxide. Popularized in the early 20th century across the US and UK, these pieces represent a unique era where radioactive elements were used to create striking ornamental tableware.

What Is Vaseline Glass Plate Worth?

The typical price range for Vaseline Glass Plate is $50 - $60 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The intensity of the glow under UV light, which indicates the concentration of uranium oxide used during manufacturing.
• The specific pattern and manufacturer, with intricate early 20th-century designs commanding the full $50-$60 value range.
• Physical condition, specifically the absence of 'flea bites,' chips, or surface scratches that often occur on functional tableware.
• The rarity of the plate's shape and size, as larger serving platters are often more sought after than standard bread plates.

How to Identify Vaseline Glass Plate?

• Verify the signature oily, yellow-green 'Vaseline' tint that distinguishes it from standard green Depression glass.
• Use a long-wave ultraviolet (UV) light to confirm a bright, neon green fluorescence caused by the uranium content.
• Check for characteristic early to mid-20th-century patterns such as Daisy and Button or Wildflower common in US and UK production.
• Examine the glass for a high level of transparency and a lack of modern 'iridescent' coatings found on reproductions.

History of Vaseline Glass Plate

Vaseline glass, also known as uranium glass, dates back to the 19th century and was popularized in the early 20th century. It contains a small amount of uranium, which gives it a unique yellow-green color and causes it to glow bright green under ultraviolet light. These pieces were both functional and ornamental, valued by collectors today for their distinctive appearance and glowing property.