I learned something new today…

I’ve been noticing some really neat drinking glasses lately, and recently found out they are called Swanky Swigs. They range in size from 3 1/8” to 5 5/8” and were originally distributed by Kraft (filled with their cheese spread). They were first introduced in 1930 and were manufactured until 1976 when they switched over to clear glasses with indented designs. In 2003, they resumed production of a few of the color designs.  The designs that were produced in Canada are rarer and harder to find, and of course, more expensive to collectors!

 The original glasses were decorated in all kinds of bright, colorful designs. One avid collector has cataloged over 230 designs! Some of the most popular designs are stripes, dots, flowers and animals.

The most expensive Swanky Swigs I found in the price book were from 1941 and were $410 each (for a special issue Cornflower #1 with light blue flowers and green leaves and “Greetings from Kraft”, etc). The cheapest one I came across was a special issue 4-H Club glass with 3 green stripes and 2 clovers. This one was only valued at 9 cents!!!  I’d like to find one for that price! The average price for the glasses in between the high and low end is between $4 and $20 each. 

Over the years, other companies (like Welch’s, McDonald’s, Coke, and Pepsi to name a few) have produced these colorful glasses with all kinds of designs-even popular television and cartoon characters.

I’ll be keeping my eyes open for tulip glasses and polka dot glasses-hope I can find a great bargain!