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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.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Walter Blenko

Glass Lady,Twice now my glass has been signed by a new person, while Mr. WH Blenko remains in the buidling.Is this person a Blenko? If so why do I not see his photo on http://www.blenkoproject.org/? Who is he and will you perhaps write about each of the Blenkos so I can put this in the case with my glass?Gina R.
Gina,
The Benko Project website needs to be updated. Mr. Walter Blenko, President of Blenko Glass, signed your glass.
Walter Blenko's reputation as a patent attorney is known world wide. A short bio - Walter J. Blenko, Jr. is Eckert Seamans - Of Counsel to the firm. He is a member of the firm's Intellectual Property Department.
Since 1954, Mr. Blenko has practiced in all phases of intellectual property law covering a broad range of technologies. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, numerous federal and state courts, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
To Blenko Glass Collectors - He is A Wonderful member of the outstanding Blenko Family! A family that continues to Give and GIVE to the State of West Virginia and to those of us who love and collect Blenko. His grandfather founded Blenko Glass, Blenko remains important to him, so important that he puts up his own monies and time to aide the company.
The fact that Blenko Glass is currently functioning with 50 employees is a direct result of Mr. Walter Blenko's involvement.
Pictured below is Mr. Walter Blenko signing glass at the 2nd Annual Festival of Glass in Milton, WV. Emails sent to the blog state Mr. Blenko signed without rest for more than 8 hours. hjh Note: Should the opportunity be available - always ask to have your glass items signed.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

My goal is to have Walter sign the pieces I now have with Richard and WH Blenko -double signed-
8 pieces I have WH Sr and WH and Richard
to have Walter sign these is a goal for me.
Kirby T.

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

Kirby T.

Do be mindful of the fact that signing glass can be stressful for the glass. Richard told me that he had a piece actually shatter a time or two. In one case, Richard actually returned to the factory and got one of the vintage pieces for a woman to replace the broken one. Make sure you know that another signing won't be too stressful for the glass!

Good luck. Sounds like a great idea.

Dr.BOB said...

hillary
comments are turned off - please allow comments.
In my humble opinion Walter Blenko should be named West Virginia of the Year!
Amazing man, responsible, family oriented and dependable these truths are evident in the continuation of the Blenko Glass production under his leadership.
Mountain Rita rags on Kaatie but everyone with a brain knows
Walter is calling the shots, and running the factory.
Excellent job by an oustanding gentleman.
Bill Blenko, Walter Blenko My Mom would say ' it seems the Blenko genes are damn good British genes.'
She, of course was a Brit.

Anonymous said...

RIC BLENKO IS THE NICEST MAN, I CAN SEE HIM GOING TO EXTRA ORDINARY LENGTHS TO REPLACE A CONSUMERS GLASS
THE MAN WAS THOUGHTFUL, CHARMING, CONSIDERATE, AND HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
BLENKO WITHOUT RIC PROMOTING BLENKO WELL ITS LIKE WENDY"S WITHOUT DAVE THOMAS.
JUST NOT THE SAME.
ANYONE OF YOU KNOW WHERE HE IS, HOW HE IS, WHAT NEW ADVENTURES OR RETIREMENT HE IS INVOLVED WITH?
MOUNTAIN RITA
MOUNTAIN RITA

sweetdoc said...

Three cheers for Blenko
Three cheers for Walter Blenko!
What a way to spend your retirement years, saving a family business as opposed to golfing.
KirbyT.
Interesting idea, having all the Blenko signatures. For my small glass group you have just raised the bar.
Wonderful thoughts and ideas, keep them coming.
We enjoy everyones comments.

Anonymous said...

Three different vases were made for this years' Festival of Glass, and two colored bowls. The vases were limited to a maximum of 50 pieces, per Blenko's website. They went fast when the doors were opened Saturday morning. In addition to the limited number of this piece, it is a true SIGNATURE PIECE- each of the 6 craftsmen that work on Blenko's Shop 7 that produced the piece have signed the vase- with etched signatures inside the top of the vase. There is a card attached that identifies this as a Craftsmen Piece and shows a picture of the men from shop 7. I will also enclose a photocopy of the brochure that pictures this vase and confirms that it is limited to 50 pieces.

The vase measures about 10-3/4 " tall, 5-1/4" at its widest point, and 4-1/4 deep at the deepest point.

Info about the blue vase shown here and in an earlier post.

Anonymous said...

I have WH signature on my older pieces, the house is being packed room by room for the local glass museum, church sales, and my children.
Sad to look at the West Virginia Glass and recall the many trips home. Like WV Janis, I love the Morgantown area, Seneca Glass, the Gentiles and the Moses family were my friends and we collected together. Until age 79 it was a monthly gathering. Difficult to think of me as the youngster of a group, it is true I was the youngest.
Keep writing Hilary and keep publishing those beautiful photos.
What do you hear of the Collectors Group. Will they meet again? I want to join in next meeting.

Also, can you put up info about the garden tour for 09 at your parents home?

What do you hear from Ram, Ellen, and the others?
Margie Hale