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Heart of Glass - Blenko Glass

Blenko Glass is a West Virginia treasure that spans generations. Nothing symbolizes the state of West Virginia better or more beautifully than Blenko Glass. We will discuss current and former craftsmen and designers and how important it is that Blenko and West Virginia glass be appreciated and valued by the younger generation.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Blenko Tumbler The Old and The New

Henry David Thoreau said " What old people say you cannot do, try and find you can. Old deeds for old people and new deeds for new.
" Doesn't apply to Glass does it?

Mary Helen, Thank you for your note,

Forgive me for not using your photo Blogger wouldn't accept it - the photo shown is very similar to your glass. Blenko did make this LONG ago and is currently making it - The older one is most often etched BLENKO on the bottom and I think if you have them side by side one can tell the difference. Take the old and new and see if you can. My parents have both, old and new and we can always tell the difference. The new is very nice - - - but there is a difference. BLENKO GLASS isn't trying to 'fool' you they have the date stamped on the newer ones. Blenko Glass makes every effort to mark any recycled item so that collectors know when an item was made. Many collectors (like me) are grateful when Blenko re makes an item - otherwise we might never own the item. I'm still looking for those water bottles with handles! Thus far - I have not been able to talk Rodney Wade in to having Blenko re-make Water bottles with handles! Perhaps we can do a letter writing campaign? To answer your question Mary Helen, your older tumbler will retain value. The new tumbler also have value, and both will continue to grow in value. This 448 tumbler has been around for a long time, a classic design. hjh Readers - Your thoughts about this? You all have many more years of experience than I. HELP!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I won't call my self an expert and not even my children want my glass.
I offered it to Hilary and she also declined.
I have Husted and Myers from when they were working at Blenko - yes I am an old broad. I also have item made last month, sometimes the quality is not the same but the air from a West Virginia boys lung blew the glass. For me this is important.
Adds to the value.
Margie Hale

Heart of Glass said...

Margie
Your glass will be a most welcome donation to the WV Museum of Glass or the WV Cultural Center of the South Charleston Museum. While I appreciate the offer, I can not accept. Your own children or grandchildren may learn to love the glass, give them time, 80 is still young, you have many more years to gather glass. Check out the WV Museum of GLass, WV Janis took a road trip down to Weston and was very imprssed. Dean Six has a very special operation there.
hjh
ps thank you for reading, commenting and for being so generous.
ps#2 I don't know about Roxie or the gbaby when I do I'll post.

Anonymous said...

Stupid design, not cost efficient.
Don't know why we are remaking these.

Anonymous said...

Are these candle bowls?

Heart of Glass said...

Phani
They would certainly be beautiful with candles inside - especially this size
they are made in three sizes for various drinks.
All come with one or two circle depending one the size of the tumbler if I can find a photo of the larger size I'll post.
hjh
creative idea - the candle..