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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.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Bayliss Designs For Blenko WV BIrthday Series

Hillary,   You have written several times to suggest people who want to have a WV Birthday Vase collection ignore the older ones and start with the Arlon Bayliss designs.  May I ask why?  Which designs are Bayliss?Don't you own this collection?  Do you no longer value this collection?   What is the value of the entire collection?  Rebekka
Rebekka,   So many questions.   #1)  I am posting photos of the Bayliss Designs created for Blenko Glass's  celebration of WV Birthday.   Bayliss a glass art designer / teacher/ author approaches the Birthday Vase with a great deal of enthusiasm.  He understand the group of dedicated collectors who stand in line for days to purchase this vase.   Bayliss attempts to do a unique design each year.  After he makes the design, and Blenko family approves the design - the Blenko craftsmen spend months making the 150 or so vases.   #2)  Finding the older vases - this series started in the 1980s  is difficult, and also they are expensive.  We recently had a person offer his collection on the blog - it sold within 24 hours for his asking price.  I've seen individual pieces sell for over $1,700.   The entire collection would represent a great deal of money.   #3)  I do not own this collection.  I had a collection until 2006 at which time I donated my collection to WVU for display in the new Fine Arts Building.  The Blenko Family graciously keeps the series updated.    #4) Re: Value.   The value of glass - is determined by what someone is willing to pay.   I am not an appraiser.  This collection is a valuable one due to the size and it is a limited editon.   Rebekka I was recently told the South Charleston Antique Mall has 3 WV Birthday Vases priced at under $500@.   Its my belief the Bayliss grouping would be the easiest to acquire.  I find the Bayliss grouping to be superior.  hjh




7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pictures are terrible

Anonymous said...

You left out two. I will send photos to you.
Does no one at Blenko own a camera?

Anonymous said...

Blenko needs to get a new photographer

Anonymous said...

Nice post, informative, god awful photos.

Anonymous said...

ASK BLENKO FOR PHOTOS.
THEY HAVE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS.

sweetdoc said...

Add me to the long list of fans for Bayliss Team.
Blenko is fortunate to have someone of the caliber.

Anonymous said...

Hillary steals photos from the web
or Blenko, everyone does this.