Block Optic Depression Glass - A Chameleon in Cups

Hocking's Block Optic depression glass comes in green, yellow, pink and the occassional crystal. You can see why the pattern got its name. The vertical lines are actually slightly molded on the inside and the horizontal lines are more definite and are on the outside; together it looks like molded blocks. The interior molding is called an "optic" and it adds an extra design element. In this case the optic was a clever way to make a sparkling pattern.

One of the neat things about Block Optic is that it was made in many shapes which makes it a fun pattern to collect. Hocking even made multiple styles of cups, creamers and sugars! One of my books shows six shapes altogether and we've had four of them. You want to be careful if you order via mail or internet to check the photos and descriptions. This particular one has the fancy handle, with an extra little scroll at the top. There are three distinct cup shapes - round like the one shown, cone shaped and a squarish mug, and four handle shapes.

Another Pink Tumbler from Hocking Glass - Fortune

Last post showed Hocking's Pillar Optic pink depression glass tumbler and this one shows a similar but not quite the same pattern, Fortune. Fortune has vertical ribs but there is a small narrow rib between a larger angled rib. The second photo shows a close up of a bowl that shows this design much better.

Once you see these in person you won't have as hard a time telling them apart as it may look in the photos. The large rib in Fortune is angled and the ribs in Pillar Optic are smooth and rounded. Plus the ribs in Pillar Optic are all the same size.

Fortune is a small pattern with only a few pieces, although there are four different bowls plus a larger serving bowl. When you buy this be careful as the small rib tends to chip at the rim.

Hocking made Fortune from 1937 to 1938 in pink and clear. We see more pink than clear by far in the mid-Michigan area. Although it is not a common pattern it is not particularly expensive. This tumbler sells in the $10 range and the most expensive piece is usually around $30. This is another pattern you can have fun collecting and enjoy using.

Pillar Optic Depression Glass

Does this look familiar? This is Pillar Optic pink depression glass by Hocking. The pattern is on the outside, so it does not qualify as an optic. (Optics have a molded design on the interior.) The panels are straight and slightly rounded to the touch. The top inch or so is smooth, making it good to drink out of.

You can tell this apart from Fortune by the fact the vertical panels are convex and all the same size. This is easier to see in person than in a photo.

This is one of those basic depression glass patterns that comes in pink and green and you can buy pitchers and tumblers rather inexpensively. Pillar Optic is a good pattern to consider if you are looking to start a set or if you want glass that you can enjoy using without worrying too much.

Plates are a little harder to spot than tumblers. The plates have the same convex panels, but they are set in a circle, like rays. There is a Hazel Atlas pattern, New Century, that is a little similar but can be told apart by concentric rings in the center of the New Century plate and more concentric rings between the rows of panels.