Title

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.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Reader Answers Question Re: REGAN PIECES



Note: Tammy Kosla is a Founding member of the Blenko Collectors Society and Past President

Tammy Kosla provided the photo.


The Reagan pieces were put on each table during the dinner. The actual pieces had a Sapphire bowl on the top not the usual crystal bowl that can be found everywhere. The 843 was designed for the Reagan piece but was later added to the line in 1984. I have a magazine somewhere that shows the centerpieces but I don't remember where I put it. I took this picture in 2001 of one of the display cases in the only actual Blenko Museum which is located upstairs of the company VC. Since 2001 most of the glass that was on display then is no longer there including the Reagan piece. Tammy

9 comments:

Dr.BOB said...

Nice photo. Good selection of Blenko.

Anonymous said...

Since all the latest news have been having hard time thinking of what to write. Thought of Blenko as a family company and to me they are not that anymore. Made Blenko special. Now the Regan's, that is a family. Even the Clinton's are a family with their front page news. Just do not like family company's to fall apart is all a sign of the times and that is not good. Sad for those people who lost their jobs and worked so hard for the Blenko company, alot of years. Is this new person a gifted business person or what? Sorry! It sounds like a good soap opera to me as the plot thickens we will all be waiting to see what the final episode will be. My heart goes out to those Blenko employees who are still working and wonder what is next.

Anonymous said...

What happen to the glass? Was there an accident? The bad thing about collecting glassware is breakage, I break things all the time.
Margie Hale

Anonymous said...

I told you my Mother has this item
she was there.
She has the invite and loads of photos. The host of each table was allowed to keep or give away the center piece. Is the story I heard.
Sol

WV Janis said...

Hillary:

We will try to avoid talking about anything that has to do with BLENKO as a business and only talk about how much we love the glass. However, please remember that "armchair quarterbacking" is as American as apple pie.

In this Internet era with instant access to information, we all feel as if we are experts on teaching, advising patients, even on repairing teeth. Get ready for it; some of your patients will be convinced that they know as much as you do.


WV Janis

bridgett said...

Hilary
NO! We should be able to have a voice, even with out power to rule.
Speaking about problems, is part of life.
Problem is they fired 'Their own image maker' a 22 year old is a Vice President and now running the place in lieu of a 60+ GM and a 50+ marketer, and a 30+ MBA ?, does not Christy who answered questions for blog and other long term Blenko employees have college degrees? This could be a SOAP special, a writer couldn't make this stuff up.

susan said...

I for one enjoy reading about the
'private events' at Blenko. Also hearing other collectors voices.
Don't set limits.

Anonymous said...

WH Blenko and Marion knew the value of a signature.
Signing were done only at exclusive stores in my day.
We stood in line in the fine china departments to have WH sign our glass. No signed glass was sold in the Visitors Center at this time.
Margie Hale

Anonymous said...

I do agree with WV Janis on signed pieces being a way to authenicate if it is Blenko. I have a piece signed by Rick with a personal line to me, done at a store signing near a holiday. A great reminder for a gift piece. I have also heard of "fake signed Blenko look-alikes". So you do have to watch on the used market. I envy you the fish, I'm still looking for the right one.
Bridgett is right about the new "ages" at the company, I'm sure. I was at the Glass Festival in August, and that matches what I saw in the people then. Time will tell how well it works. If the yoounger people are willing to listen to, and value, the experience of more experienced people, everyone wins. If not, there could be problems.
I purchased a "Bella" line vase at the Festival, in blue, much more striking in person than on the Web site. Check them out if you get to the VC.
Car Girl