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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.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

When to Buy - When to Hold ???



Hilary  I began with the Blenko same year you started this blog.  One of the first items I bought was the 5929L  - also purchased the smaller versions.
I paid $750 for the smaller and over $1700 for the 5929L
To day I saw this Ebay completed sale.  I'm attachin the ad
Should I be selling my Blenko now?  Is the bottom near?
George

George,
You should sell your glass when you no longer value the glass.
The market for Blenko and most anything is volatile -  what something is worth is what
'someone will pay'.  
Buy only what you love and want to live with~ if the value increases Wonderful!                               My Uncle is a realtor/broker and he suggest buying in a down market.
I'm not a fine arts dealer, a poker player  or a money manager  thus I won't give suggestions for when to sale or hold.
Good luck with your Blenko collection -  consider sending photos of your collection to theblenkoproject@aol.com  The Blenko Project.  hjh 

Here, we have a Vintage Original Blenko 1959 Wayne Husted Design Number 5929L HUGE blown Chess Piece Decanter SIGNED "BLENKO" with original Stopper in Tangerine / Red/ Orange, it kinda changes with the lighting.



This decanter is in immaculate condition, with OUT chips on the bottom of the stopper (see pictures ) It does have a few storage scratches on the base, but nothing major. The pontil mark is beautiful.


The base measures 10" Across, it is tall 27" tall without the stopper, it is 38 1/2" Tall with the stopper in place.
You may never get an opportunity like this again...
This rare and genuine piece of art, unlike a print or painting will never be reproduced or duplicated again. In years to come, you may find your self saying to a friend, "I remember when I could have bought that piece for 10% less than what they are selling for now!" This is truely a Investment and a collectors dream come true

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think some of us started collecting Blenko decades ago, because we loved the color and the design. Over the years, we watched the design factor deteriorate. For 20 years, the design has been hit or miss..

That has adversely affected the value of most Blenko pieces. (But so has eBay, which only served to point out that "rare" pieces "ain't necessarily so.")

There are a finite number of Blenko collectors. Frankly far fewer than I realized at first. I've been watching Blenko prices for years (I have 150+ pieces) and I totally endorse "Buy what you love." I sure do hope nobody has bought Blenko thinking it was a substitute for a retirement account.

Anonymous said...

LMAO
So many people do buy beannie babies, glass and old coins
thinking it will 'keep them' in hard times.
Doc Glass is right - don't buy thinking you will make money.
Although I do have a Blenko fund and it always has money - I call it my "egg money" I buy one or two pieces every few months - sell these and do it again. Selective purchases only.
G.S.

Anonymous said...

Comment Re: Anonymous'
comment.
Designers - former designers including Hank Adams, Carter et al these guys had to work with the
blowers etc available at the time.
Myers Husted Winslow worked with
much more talented crew of men.
#2 I think we all agree Bayliss is excellent but he works what 3 or 4 days a year for Blenko
One can not expect a 1/60 designer to be responsible for the line.
#3 where is the 2012 and 2013 catalog?
I have yet to see either.
David E Salisbury

Anonymous said...

David
Excellent comment.

Anonymous said...

George I also bought when things were more expensive.
My Blenko seller owned a gallery and I must have paid his rent for 6-7 months.
I laugh when I think of how deeply rooted was my desire to own more Blenko.
My first grankid broke the cycle.
Glenna

Anonymous said...

I also have seen no 10, 11, or 12 catalog
did blenko stop doing catalogs?
Blenko admin will you do them in the future?
Sam Olive

Anonymous said...

Hello Sam,
I have the 2010 catalog, will upload it during the weekend. Also, we are looking for 2011 and 2012 catalogs, so we dont have them now.
Thanks
V

Anonymous said...

You didn't respond to the question about glass and insurance.
My suggestion is avoid State Farm
Insurance Co.
they have a long history of collecting policy $$ and then refusing to pay out.
Glass with them would be a looser.
Glass breaks. Expect to pay a pretty penny for insurance but buy from a company that has a good history. Not State Farm.
Claude S.