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, August 17, 2011

Sommerso Style JPM



Hi Doc,

I am sending this photo in response to a question raised when the last group was posted on the blog. I was familiar with these being a special piece by Joel Phillip Myers in what my reference books refer to as the Sommerso style wherein layers of glass create the final look, in this case Green, Ruby and Crystal. The story that I have heard connected with these goes that Myers created these himself as he was developing his skills and becoming a master glassblower himself. The pieces are all hand scribed on the bottom JPM and Blenko. Blenko in recognition that the material used was Blenko glass but these were Myers own personal pieces. I am fortunate enough to have four sets that I have collected over ten years of Ebaying. The goal I had was for each of my girls to one day each have one set of both colors. They are pricey but they do come up from time to time on Ebay. Good luck to anyone hoping to put together a set.


Enjoy,


Bruce Spec

~~~~

Hillary J Homburg,

Founder, The Blenko Project http://www.blenkoproject.org/ .For additional Blenko Glass information or to share your Blenko story and photos of your collection. Please email theblenkoproject@aol.com


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've seen this in gold and blue with crystal
Elle

Anonymous said...

well that interesting guesswork about why these exist but like all unfounded speculation its baloney. I think unicorns made them out of pixie dust and Elvis signed them as a joke. Myers never signed any Blenko pieces, workers did (gumps decanter, etc). Myers is & was too much of a snob to do that and he'd never sign his name next to Blenko's name. He (sadly & in correctly) thinks Blenko products are inferior (ask him).

Anonymous said...

Words do mean something to me and I make every effort to be accurate in what I post. That includes not making up fiction since I know there are many collectors more knowledgable than I when it comes to Blenko. That said, if you read the text again you will note that I did not say specifically that Myers signed these pieces. I am very aware that the Gumps pieces are very obviously signed by someone other than Myers. As for "asking him" I would welcome any comment that Mr. Myers might add to this discussion since we are looking for information and knowledge to further our appreciation of the pieces in our collections. Several of the other designers have added to this blog discussion from time to time and I for one find that to be extremely helpful in getting the correct information instead of speculating. I do have several pieces of Blenko, including several of the sommerso pieces shown, in my collection that appear to have Mr Myers signature that match the signature on pieces he signed after his tenure at Blenko.

Sarcasm has it's place but not in a serious discussion. It would also be appropriate to identify yourself when making a correction to offerings on this blog but you might have to also leave the ugly personal comments directed at Mr. Myers off as well.

Bruce Specht

buckndi said...

Well said, Bruce. I sometimes wonder why Hillary bothers with continuing the blog to allow comments, given the venom of some of the posters.

Diane

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous:
JPM did sign and I have signed letter
from him stating he signed.
Regarding his hating blenko,
he said in a Chicago meeting last year
he was grateful to Blenko for allowing him
freedom to develop his glassblowing techniques and to work on community projects involving other artist.
I also heard Myers donated all his Blenko papers to
Blenko Project ( is this true Glassdoc?).
So anonymous if you'll send your address I'll forward
a scan of my Myers letter re: signature JPM at blenko.
Betsy Kent

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous:
JPM did sign and I have signed letter
from him stating he signed.
Regarding his hating blenko,
he said in a Chicago meeting last year
he was grateful to Blenko for allowing him
freedom to develop his glassblowing techniques and to work on community projects involving other artist.
I also heard Myers donated all his Blenko papers to
Blenko Project ( is this true Glassdoc?).
So anonymous if you'll send your address I'll forward
a scan of my Myers letter re: signature JPM at blenko.
Betsy Kent

Anonymous said...

BRUCE
WHEN ONE PURCHASES FROM THE BIG CITY SELLER ITS A SIGNED BY MYERS PIECE
IF NO THEM IT WASN'T SIGNED BY MYERS
IT WAS SIGNED BY PIXIE DUST OR FAIRY OF WEEK.
MOUNTAIN RITA
THESE NEGATIVE PEOPLE NEED TO GET A LIFE.
THIS BLOG IS THE ONLY BLENKO SITE
NOT RELATED TO A SELLER OF BLENKO
I FOR ONE APPRECIATE THE INFO< THE PHOTOS
THE CONVERSATION AND THE
CHEERLEADER (HILLARY).
MOUNTAIN RITA
NOTE: THIS DOES NOT MEAN I GIVE UP MY RIGHT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT BLENKO OR LIFE.
I WILL COMPLAIN BUT NEVER PUT DOWN

Anonymous said...

Bruce,
Two of the vases are setting in the Blenko Museum ( upstairs of Blenko Glass) in glass shelves
the sign above says
made by Joel Myers.
Therefore unicorns can not accept the credit for these dynamic pieces of glass made by Joel Myer while he worked at Blenko Glass.
Susanne

Anonymous said...

Steve Bare who use to live in Charleston
also owns this set.
Excellent selection of glass, thank you for sharing Bruce.
Todd

Anonymous said...

This vase is also in the WV Culture Center
exhibit on WV Glass
and listed as Myer made.

Dr.BOB said...

We must agree with the last comment re: Joel Myers and Blenko signatures.
Before Blenko Joel was an art student, therefore no reason he would
not want his signature and his name associated with BLENKO or any company.
Go back to city and research your basic facts anonymous.
First I heard Myers donated his
archives of Blenko to Glassdoc. Is this true?

Anonymous said...

I found a matching blue pair at a thrift shop yesterday. They are both hand signed in script Blenko Joel Phillip Myers. Beautiful pieces!

Anonymous said...

I found a matching blue pair at a thrift shop yesterday. They are both hand signed in script Blenko Joel Phillip Myers. Beautiful pieces!