AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a rectangular baking dish made of heavy, molded borosilicate or tempered glass in a deep cobalt blue color. The item measures approximately 11 by 7 inches (28 x 18 cm) with a depth of about 1.5 to 2 inches, providing a 1.5-liter capacity. The bottom surface features a prominent textured or embossed maker's mark consisting of the Anchor Hocking logo—a stylized anchor within a square frame—along with the text 'Anchor Hocking Glass Company'. Supporting technical markings indicate it is 'CONVENTIONAL OVEN' and 'MICROWAVE SAFE'. The construction is robust with thick walls and rounded corners, characteristic of mid-to-late 20th-century American kitchenware. The condition appears to be very good with minimal visible surface scratching or 'flea bites' on the rim, though some minor manufacturing artifacts like cooling lines or faint striations in the glass are visible, which are common for this type of mass-produced glassware. The deep blue hue is uniform throughout the piece, showing high color saturation and clarity when held to the light. This specific style of 'Royal Blue' or cobalt kitchenware was highly popular in the 1990s and persists as a collectible functional item today.

I have conducted a visual examination of the Anchor Hocking 1.5-quart rectangular baking dish in Cobalt Blue. The piece features the authentic embossed 'Anchor' logo and manufacturing hallmarks consistent with Anchor Hocking’s production standards from the late 20th century, specifically the popular cobalt lines of the 1990s. The condition is rated as 'Very Good' to 'Excellent'; the saturation of the blue glass is uniform, and based on the provided imagery, I detect no significant opacity or 'clouding' from dishwasher etching, which frequently degrades the value of this specific glassware. The market for 1990s cobalt glass remains steady due to its functional durability and aesthetic appeal in 'country-style' or 'mod-retro' kitchens. This specific 1.5-quart size is common, making it less of a rare collector's 'trophy' and more of a high-demand replacement piece for active sets. Comparable sales on secondary markets like eBay and Etsy generally fluctuate between $20 and $45 depending on the presence of the original plastic lid and shipping costs. Limitations: This appraisal is based strictly on visual data. I cannot physically verify the presence of 'flea bites' or hairline fractures that may be hidden within the thick blue glass. A definitive authentication would require an in-person tactile inspection to check for rim chips and stress fractures near the corners. Furthermore, I cannot verify the chemical composition via image; while the markings suggest tempered glass, only physical stress-testing or historical provenance (original packaging) could confirm its exact manufacturing era and safety for high-temperature oven use.