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.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

A Beautiful Blenko Glass Punch Bowl




Hi Hillary:
We have been in the BCS from the start and to the Festival of Glass last year and this year. We have known your parents from the meetings and were talking to them during the festival in August. Your mom said you might like photos of some of the less often seen Blenko items. I am attaching photos of our punch bowl, which we got here in Georgia and a pre-designer ruby pitcher and glass set that came from a long time family in Milton.
I am sending the photos in four emails, as the files are somewhat big.
The punch bowl has the bowl, twelve cups, ladle, and under bowl that has a ledge for the cups.
The ruby pitcher has a ribbed handle and the six glasses have rosettes.
Regards and Happy Hollidays,
Roger and Carolyn Newstrom
Roswell, Georgia

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tell me when
how
where
and how much
you had to
pay.
This is so very very fine.
Blenko from long ago.
Sue

Anonymous said...

Hello everyone. Apologize for being wrapped up in my own little life.
This punch bowl is unique. Was it a line item? More info if available plz.
Like Sue I want all the info you are willing to share.
C.

susan said...

I also want this one!
Thanks to the owners for the lovely photos.
Sharing glass stories makes collecting even more enjoyable!

Anonymous said...

The table the hutch
is this Jensen furniture?
Beautiful wood.

Anonymous said...

Did Blenko made the cups and the ladel?

glassbug said...

Who designed this bowl?
What year was it made?
How many wre made?
Colors available?
Current price one should be asked to pay?
Are these rare?
We're scheduled for a foot of snow this weekend and now the temp below 0.
Winter, ya gotta love it!
Happy Holiday to everyone.

Anonymous said...

Years ago I met in the airport a lady from Georgia who collected Blenko, she wrote articles for local (to her) magazines about Blenko is this the same person?
Ted E

Anonymous said...

Roger and Carol
Will you tell us how you found this magnificent set?
Alex

Anonymous said...

Amazing item.
We have a fostoria punch bowl from teh 50s, Roger & Carole I must say the Blenko is much much nicer.
This green is so intense.
Is this color available now?

Anonymous said...

Color question is for Katie of Blenko?
Katie is this color of green available?

Anonymous said...

The wonderful punch bowl set was a creation of Winslow Anderson. It is a reminder of the Blenko quality and integrity in design that Blenko has strayed from over the years.

Typical of this loss is Blenko's
"new" snowman. One as good or better can be bought in discount stores and made in China at a tenth of Blenko's price.

Juat imagine what Winslow would have designed if asked to do a snowman! You might find a well designed one today from Kosta Boda, Sweden, or in Lead Crystal from Japan. Both countries with higher labor and fuel costs than Blenko!

Anonymous said...

The wonderful punch bowl set was a creation of Winslow Anderson. It is a reminder of the Blenko quality and integrity in design that Blenko has strayed from over the years.

Typical of this loss is Blenko's
"new"snowman. One as good or better can be bought in discount stores and made in China at a tenth of Blenko's price.

Juat imagine what Winslow would have designed if asked to do a snowman! You might find a well designed one today from Kosta Boda, Sweden, or in Lead Crystal from Japan. Both countries with higher labor and fuel costs than Blenko!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous
About the Sweeden and Japan
glass.
Forget it.
Blenko does need a designer, and a trained at Alfred designer soon the sooner the better.
Fire some of the top weight and get a designer and some glass workers.
Labor cost and fuel are very expensive in all the USA not just unionized WV.
The chinese can make copies of any item for less than the original perhaps next year you'll be selling Chinese made glass.

Anonymous said...

Yep..The Chinese lack imagination,
and have built modern cities like Shanghai with the money they have made copying the innovation and creativity of the rest of the industrialized world with the enormous advantage of much cheaper labor.

In Winslow Anderson's time with Blenko, it was the Italians who were the copiers of his designs.

So the good news is that the Chinese also copy non professional designs. Go China with those Blenko
snow men!

And you are so right about Blenko needing another Alfred level designer...but maybe it is too late!

Unfortunately Blenko has been less than conscientious in truly valuing professional design. ..Blenko designers have been short changed and their designs bastardized and given new numbers.

In addition when it comes to the designers, information, and displays in the Blenko Visitors Center is wanting and less than professional.

Why do you say "Forget Swedish glass designers"? Just curious.

As for your "Next year you will be selling Chinese Glass?" What is your point? What do you mean by "next year"...even the local grocery stores sell Chinese glass right now.. and they are getting better at copying creative designers and making it glass even better than some of the WV makers
who in fact can't compete with the labor costs it takes to make better glass. This slack has been taken up by the 300 or so studio glass artists who now offer the 'art' and
design quality once dominated by Blenko.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful set! Debbie had always wanted a Blenko punchbowl set as well. Last February I came upon one listed on Ebay and was lucky enough to win the auction. I believe it went for $250.00. This included the ladel, twelve cups, under plate and bowl. All in Tangerine. A great set that I gave her for her birthday in August. She was at choir practice at our church and my girls set up a punch and cake reception that Debbie had no idea was coming. At the end of practice I invited everyone to join us in the fellowship hall for a piece of Debbie's cake. Needless to say she was overwhelmed. But how many tiimes do you get to enjoy a punchbowl. This one just makes you want to invite people over to get to enjoy it in use.
Hope all of you experience the same joy.
Bruce Specht

Anonymous said...

Given the national debt owed to China.
Chinese maybe selling 'us'.

Anonymous said...

$250
Bruce My husband and brother tell fish stories and I think you tell Blenko stories.
Patsy Ruth McGee

Anonymous said...

You're right I didn't pay $250. I forgot the shipping was an additional $25 for a total of 274.99. I went back to check my memory since I am getting to the age where it can occasionally play tricks.
Keep looking and good luck.
Bruce

Heart of Glass said...

At 4 times what you paid
its a great deal and a beautiful, thoughtful gift.
HJH