The Cutely Named Valuable Vintage Glasses You Will Not Want To Skip At The Thrift Store

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The days of drinking from horns or conch shells are long gone. Thankfully, today we have glasses, and they are everywhere and usually inexpensive. However, if you are looking for anything classic, prices rise fast. That is why savvy shoppers often head to thrift stores to purchase vintage glasses. And if you are one of them, one item you definitely do not want to skip is the roly poly glasses. They were a mid-century favorite and were frequently used to serve cocktails in homes and bars. Sometimes these glasses were even finished with metallic gold or silver designs to add some extra flair. Plus, they are still popular among collectors and vintage glassware fans, holding their vintage value. Oh, and if you are wondering why this name, one look at the glass will reveal the answer.

These glasses have a rather squat shape and rock slightly when put on a table. It is no wonder that some people also refer to them as tumblers with a twist. The problem, though, is that it is hard to find original vintage roly poly glasses anymore. Even if you can find them, they are rather expensive, costing hundreds of dollars. However, some lucky shoppers have managed to purchase vintage sets of roly poly glasses for less than $10 at thrift stores in the past. Put simply, if you enjoy hosting cocktail parties, roly poly glasses are definitely one of those valuable glass items you should be looking for at thrift stores whenever you browse.

If you like vintage glassware, finding roly poly glasses at a thrift store can definitely be an exciting experience. However, don't let excitement cloud your judgment. You must carefully observe the glassware before you bring it home. For instance, look closely for hairline cracks, deep scratches, or "flea bites," especially along the rim of the roly poly glasses. Also, keep in mind that unless you are really lucky, you will not find complete roly poly glass sets in thrift stores. So, when you are mixing and matching, make sure to choose pieces with equal volume and size. Plus, if you find anything chipped, just leave it alone.

You can't fix these, and they also pose a safety risk. In addition, another safety question that you should ask yourself when purchasing old glassware is whether or not it is safe to drink from. That is because old glassware often had lead in it, and lead is toxic and extremely harmful to human health. So make sure to confirm that you are purchasing a lead-free product. There is no need to panic, however, if you have already brought it home. There are many at-home lead testing kits available in the market that you can use to test your glassware before you put it to use.

And lastly, make sure to give your newly purchased vintage roly poly glasses a good wash once you bring them home. It's easy, and there are many household staples that are a game-changer for de-griming cloudy glassware bought from thrift stores.