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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.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

1985 Blenko WV Birthday

Tara,
Your black and white photo is of a 1985 Blenko Glass WV Birthday Vase by D Shepperd.
The 'strange mark' you mention is a staff and Don Shepperd used this as his signature.
The # 98 is the number of your vase - each year they are number #1 - ( years WV has been a State).
Paying $450 at a La. estate sale was in my opinion a good investment.
Perhaps you'll come June 20th 2010 (check back for exact times) to Milton for the 2010 addition to this 30 year tradition.
Google - West Virginia Birthday Glass.
hjh

photo of 1985 Blenko Birtday Vase (subsitute for b/w photo)

9 comments:

Dr.BOB said...

This one is very useful,
my wife displays award winning roses frequently in this vase.
Excellent design for cut flowers.

Anonymous said...

This is one of my favorites. It is just simply lovely. It has all those little curves that will hold the flowers so nicely. I learned to arrange flowers while working at a bed and breakfast in Harpersferry. Not a easy job sometimes depending on the flowers you have to work with so this vase is real nice. The flowers can almost display themselves without your help. Roxie

Anonymous said...

Dr Bob
We paid over five hundred dollars for this one, water, flowers, or my grandkids will never touch this vase.
Only a doctor could put flowers in an expensive vase.
Julia

Anonymous said...

Re: Comments about Blenko
hurt/broken.
Walter Blenko (google the man) was rich and famous before he step foot in Blenko Glass.
It seems obvious the man is devoted to the company that bears his family name.
While even I admit he is ill advised re: management.
As collectors we should appreciate his efforts.
We should be buying all the current glass we can afford and encouraging Doc Hill Glasslady to write, and encouraging the Blenko staff.
Sam T.

Anonymous said...

I'd never pay more than $350 for a b-day vase.

Anonymous said...

Mr Walter Blenko is a very very smart man. Well educated and accomplished by any measure. Katie is not the one firing people. Does any one really think she has the power to do that? Don't you think every firing has been approved by Walter? You can not keep people on a payroll that are not productive. Lots of the people(probably all)who have been fired where just a drain on the company. I think Katie should be next to go, along with a few other nonproductive ladies.If The very rich and famous Walter Blenko does not bring in some experienced and proven leadership soon. Blenko will not make it. I wish he would just go for it and bring Blenko back to its former glory.Dazzle us with great colors and design. Put the big money in the factory go find the talent, its out there. This company for to long has been over paying people to set around doing nothing(management).

Anonymous said...

Being on the road, if can't appropriately represent the product is non productive.
Busy is not good unless it generates income.
I've heard it said: ' they are on the road all the time, and very busy.'
Todd E.

Anonymous said...

This one is now on my must have list.
Would they make this again, the rose society ladies would go ga ga for this one.

Anonymous said...

Julia
Blenko is glass, made in a small factory the glass was made to be used.
Do not put this glass in a dishwasher don't ask me how I know this - smile- but otherwise its made to be used.
Blenko is heavy and does not break easily.
Clean without using chemicals and enjoy your purchases.