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
