BLENKO - #5510 Cat decanter

BLENKO - #5510 Cat decanter

Photo from Calif  collector

Hello everyone:
This piece of glass was purchased on Ebay.  While I do sometime purchase glass from there, it is not my usual
place of purchase.  My boyfriend bought this for me after I had looked for a year for a piece similar to this
having seen it in a home that was decorated in nothing but Blenko glass and fine art.

It is the signature that has me somewhat concerned, this piece is supposed to be from a PBS donation done
for pledges.  The signature which is Richard Blenko does not match the signature I have nor anything I can find on the internet.
The seller is willing to take it back, but the piece is pretty.  Is is Blenko, I dont even see it in the catalog, although there are
similar pieces.

Can you advise?
Thank you for your time,
JK

Last Reminder - MAG Auction

Last Reminder -  The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia will host a Benefit Auction at the Museum this Friday May 31, 2013 beginning at 7pm.
The Museum will be open from noon until sale time on the day of the auction for previewing. The volunteer auctioneer is MAG friend Rock Wilson. Some items to be sold are pure donations to MAG, others will be consigned with 20% of the hammer price being a donation fundraiser for the Museum from the consignor. There are no buyer premiums.

A Heart of Glass blog post from our blog friend Tony Patti

Hope You’re Thirsty
American glass designer and Czech glass company create 264-pound bottle

It is more than eight feet tall and holds enough liquid to fill 760 standard wine bottles.
When it was first designed in 2009, Maximus, as it is known in the Czech Republic, was the largest wine bottle in the world. You may have seen theYouTube video of its creation at Bohemia Machine, a high tech glass grinding company. CEO Jiri Trtik commissioned Charlie Parriott, an American glass designer, to create the 27-inch wide bottle for a display on the cruise liner Oasis of the Seas.
So how do you build the largest wine bottle in the world? According to Filip Kurek, who handles public relations for Bohemia Machine, it takes several stages and up to five weeks because even the simplest manipulation of the bottle is a multi-man job.
Glass geeks may appreciate that the bottle is made of seven pieces of borosilicate, a type of technical glass used to make test tubes, which are welded using an enormous glass-cutting lathe and then torched together with heated oxygen propane.
Aren’t you glad you asked?
Oh and by the way, the Maximus bottle is filled with Caymus 2007 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley.   Tony Patti

www.glassblower.info

This from our blog friend Tony Patti:
Subject: [PA-NJ Glassblowers] The Glassmakers Of Herat
For those of you who told me how much you enjoyed watching the video of glassmaking in India,
below is a link to a 28-minute YouTube video of ancient glassblowing techniques in Herat, Afghanistan.

This video was filmed in 1977, but the specific practices date back at least 2,700 years, as described around 3:50 of the video,
referring to a group of clay cuneiform tablets detailing glassmaking instructions from the 7th century B.C.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMYE83DJU4Q

Noteworthy is the discussion about tools which starts around 15:30, especially when describing blowpipes
“a sawed-off rifle barrel works just fine.”

How does Bruce Specht photo glass?

Blenko  photo table setup for "Three Blenko Pitchers"

This is the accompanying photo to the "Three Blenko Ptchers" email. This is a recent photo of the background I use in most of the photos I have shot to date. Simple but effective. I did forget to identify the pieces so I will do so here. From left to right you have a Husted designed Blenko #586 in Tangerine, Anderson designed Blenko #991 in Mulberry, and another Husted designed Blenko #579 in Jade.
Enjoy,
Bruce Specht

Husted Charcoal decanters

Hi Hillary,

I am trying out a new surface for shooting photos on trying to replicate the effect that several advertising photos show from the sixties. Close but I am still not satisfied. Still thought I would send along for comments from the blog. The three pieces  are all Husted designs in Charcoal with Crystal stoppers. Starting from the left you have a Blenko # 563,  Blenko #561, Blenko #564.
Hope you enjoy,
Bruce Specht 

Blenko Glass Blenko. Blenko. Blenko.

www.blenkoproject.org
May is graduation time - - -  Gift Giving time.   If your graduate plans to attend college,  consider a gift of Blenko Glass.   Blenko has multiple items with the Marshall Logo and also West Virginia University.
   Blenko has something for everyone on your gift list -  birthday, wedding, anniversary,  Blenko has the occasion covered.  If time allows - you can have your items personalized by the Ladies at Touch of Glass.  Ask your salesperson at Blenko for directions to Touch of Glass, Hurricane, WVa.   hjh

Husted blenko minatures

Husted blenko minatures

teal sheared top CM-4, Tangerine 60-E, Jonquil 60-B pitcher, Chartreuse pinched-top CM-2, Amethyst 60-B pitcher, Tangerine 60-F pitcher, Lime sheared top CM-4.

Blenko #49 pinch decanter stoppers

Hi Hillary,
Sometimes it is in the details that I get caught up in enjoying my collection. This is just such a photo illustrating the effervescence that is captured in the stoppers of this group of Blenko #49 decanters. The "seeds" (bubbles) captured in the Chartreuse and Sky Blue pieces are just wonderful to behold.
Hope your readers find it so too,

Bruce S

Husted and minature from Bruce S

HI Hillary,

Just consider this my Chihuahua / Great Dane picture for Blenko. I ran across both of these and managed to snag both for $20 each. Yes I know the stopper is the wrong color but I have always liked that on occasion you can get by with a different color. In this case I had found the stopper a long time ago in a small antique mall in Denton Texas and had just put it aside hoping one day to find a body. Eventually I may but Charcoal is a little hard to find. For now I can enjoy it until I either find a Turquoise stopper or a Charcoal body. The Rudy piece is a Blenko miniature Blenko #3516 G (4 1/2").
Hope you enjoy,

Bruce S

Beat the DOG DAYS of Summer - Visit Blenko Glass

Nothing beats the Dog Days of Summer - Like a shopping trip!

 

Blenko Glass is open and the shelves are filled with handcrafted glass awaiting your visit.

Shop Blenko on line at www.blenkoglass.com .  Learn more about Blenko Glass and Collecting Blenko Glass visit www.blenkoproject.org.

Blenko - Seeking a New Home.

Blenko - Seeking a New Home.
Subject: Re: ringed blenko glass - 3 sets -different colors

3 sets - dark blue, light blue and green

4 glasses in a set

2-RingedOld Fashioned Tumblers  #448A                               
2-Tall Ringed Glass  #3749G

Reminder Marble Festival Tomorrow!

The Historic Home of Three
Marble Manufacturers!
Set-up is free and begins at 8 AM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
10 AM UNTIL 3 PM
~ Sale of antique &
contemporary marbles
~ Exhibits, marble
identification,
books & more
~ Food available on site,
free parking
~ Free admission

A Program of Saturdays On The Square ~
Co-sponsored by the
Museum of American Glass in West Virginia

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT
Ann Fissel: 304-628-3445
18TH ANNUAL WEST VIRGINIA
MARBLE FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
Community Building ~ Cairo, WV
Adjacent to Town Square
The Historic Home of Three
Marble Manufacturers!
Set-up is free and begins at 8 AM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
10 AM UNTIL 3 PM
~ Sale of antique &
contemporary marbles
~ Exhibits, marble
identification,
books & more
~ Food available on site,
free parking
~ Free admission
Explore our town, and be sure to see the
historic old Bank of Cairo exhibits!

MAG Benifit Auction Reminder

Greetings

I am pleased to share, on behalf of The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia, the announcement of one of the great activities to be held at the Museum in Weston, WV to celebrate the 200th anniversary of hot glass making in West Virginia.

We will host a Benefit Auction at the Museum on Friday May 31, 2013 beginning at 7pm. The Museum will be open from noon until sale time on the day of the auction for previewing. The volunteer auctioneer is MAG friend Rock Wilson. Some items to be sold are pure donations to MAG, others will be consigned with 20% of the hammer price being a donation fundraiser for the Museum from the consignor. There are no buyer premiums.

ALL the glass must be made in West Virginia. Pieces to be sold will be displayed in the Museum window for the month prior to the auction.

Members of the Museum can consign up to six items per person to the auction. The request is that items consigned have an anticipated value of greater than $10. There is NO upper value limit! Call MAG in advance (304. 269.5006) to add you name and the number of pieces you wish to consign. The auction will have a minimum of 100 lots of WV glass. A cap of 150 pieces is the most that will be accepted. All pieces consigned should be delivered in person or by post to the museum no later than 6 May to insure they are imaged and appear on the auctionzip web site for the auction. Pieces are indeed welcomed as donations from which the entire sale price will be a donation to MAG.

Thank you for your continued interest and support

dean six
Executive Director
Museum of American Glass in West Virginia

Bat vase

Readers:  A frequent Blenko blog reader ask for our help in locating a Bat Vase ( see photo)
if you own one and its in need of a new home please contact  theblenkoproject@aol.com.  Thank you.

The bat vase no.5615. Summer 2005 in the blowpipe by husted

Readers:  Can we help to ID this glass?
Subject: Blenko pitcher info

Hi Hillary, It looks on your blog like you are a very busy person, so thanks for reading this! I was given a beautiful blue 5 ½” Blenko crackeled glass pitcher in 1977 as a wedding gift.I’m now trying to find out more about it, such as when it was produced, and maybe a guess at a current value.I want to give it as a gift to the Granddaughter of the lady that gave it to me.I’ve attached a photo. I’ve looked at the catalogs on the blenkoproject.org (I saw a similar photo in ’74 – maybe # 3750L, and also ’71 # 6916? – BUT it is almost impossible to read the font & it won’t zoom in), e-mailed Blenko (they say they don’t have the employees available to answer me), asked on Facebook – someone said to contact you, looked on e-bay, done other searches, etc.
Thanks for any help, Christine C

Glass ID Readers, Can we help?

I recently purchased this donut vase which was identified as Blenko.  I know Blenko made this style of vase, but I haven't found any that are the size of this vase --10" high and 6 1/2 wide.
Could you please help me identify this vase?
Thank you for your help.
Faye

150th WV birthday

June 20th West Virginia will be 150 years old, and as always Blenko will be making a special WV birthday piece. Below are some words about it from the designer, Arlon Bayliss. 

Written by Arlon Bayliss:

150^th Birthday Piece:

“Birthday Hearts for West Virginia”

Loving 150 years of West Virginia.

Blenko has put their heart and soul into making a special commemorative piece to mark the 150^thBirthday of West Virginia.

Designer Arlon Bayliss writes:

We wanted this piece to be extra special. As I thought about a theme for this important Blenko Birthday piece, my mind kept returning to how West Virginians hold each other in their hearts; to their generosity, hard work and love. The priceless skills of our mold-makers and blowers have led to a remarkable commemorative piece that not only celebrates love, but is made with love too.

Made of turquoise and crystal glass, to represent a mountaineer’s freedom, this eleven-inch tall, ballooning vase expands with billowing hearts from a narrow base to broad rounded shoulders, and a generous flared rim.

Blenko “hearts” West Virginia, and West Virginia “hearts” Blenko!

Note:  The above info and photos provided by Blenko Glass on 5/5/13

18th Annual Marble Festival - Cairo, WV - Saturday May 4, 2013

Reminder: The 18th Annual Marble Festival in Cairo, WV is tomorrow, Saturday May 4, 2013.

The 18th Annual West Virginia Marble Festival is set for Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Community Building in Cairo, West Virginia. The location is adjacent to the town square in the town which is the historic home of three marble manufacturers. The festival is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include the sale of antique and contemporary marbles, exhibits, marble identification, books and more. Food is available on site and both admission and parking are free.

Thank you for your interest in the Museum of American Glass in Weston, WV.

Blenko Glass. Blenko. Blenko. Blenko.

Phone Blenko Glass  www.blenkoglass.com   this week to schedule classes during the WV Birthday Glass Event.   Each year Blenko offers  the limited edition WV Birthday Vase,  a series of art glass classes,  discounts on glass in the Visitors Center and also Blenko has a few 'surprises'  usually sample glass - items that won't make it into the regular line of glass.   This is a great WEEK to visit Blenko and to purchase from the Blenko Visitors Center.

For the last few years,  Blenko has graciously offered limited edition items for on line purchasers,  Blenko realized  Milton WV is not centrally located and many of us can not visit more than once a year.  The management decision to offer 'on line' specials was a good one!   Support the decision and support Blenko Glass by purchasing your Blenko from Blenko Glass when possible.    

Thank you for shopping Blenko.  For Collecting Blenko and for supporting The Blenko Project and Blenko 'Heart of Glass' Blog.   hjh

FRAMED CARDS - BLENKO

From the Talented Diane Weber:

I have been making these cards for a year or so, for other people, but had
never made a set for myself.  I finally did, and with a really good coupon
for Michael's framing department, got the set framed.  I think it turned out
really well.

I would love to see what others have done with their cards.



Diane

Readers: What have you done with your Blenko Cards? 

I often send them as thank you notes, and also have one on display in my home office. 

"Glass India" video

This from our blogger friend T.Patti

Remarkable, fascinating, 28 minute video, recorded during 1991 in Firozabad India, by Norman Faulkner (of Canada)

 
Video documentation of glass manufacturing in India, with unique footage of glass factories in Firozobad. Factories visited include OM Glass Factory, Ceeraj Glassworks Ltd., and Prince Glass Ltd. Workers (including young boys) are seen making bangles, vases, headlights (lamps) for automobiles, and other tableware items. Of special note are the workers who toss the blowpipes to each other, the use of a mandrel for making bangles, and the use of a side lever press for making tableware and headlights.

Filmed in the glass factories of Firozabad, India.
Narrator, Norman Faulkner.
Production assistant, Marie DeRoy.
Title from title frame.

This same title is available on VHS , produced in 1991, which is 40 minutes in length. Per Norman Faulkner, they are the same, except that the 2004 release [which is what is on YouTube] has been edited.

http://www.cmog.org/library/glass-india-videorecording-norman-faulkner-producer#.UQVLLb_C3iU

Blenko vase

Subject: Blenko vase

can you help to identify and label the vase?

Reminder Slow Art Day in Weston Tomorrow

Weston, WV – Slow Down, Look Deeply, Enjoy, Discover. That might be the hummed prayer for thousands around the world as they join a world wide event on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 11am to 2pm. The event, in its fourth year, asks people all over the globe to visit local museums and art galleries to look at art slowly. Participants are asked to look at five works of art for ten minutes each and then meet together over lunch to talk about their experience.

For More Information Visit www.slowartday.com

The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia is open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day noon to 4:00pm.  The balance of the year the museum is open daily noon to 4:00pm and closed on Wednesday and Sunday. Admission is free. It is easily accessible off I-79 exit 99 onto US 33 West for two miles to Main Avenue. A left turn onto Main and the museum is on the left at 230 Main Avenue. Begun in 1992, the museum relocated to its present location in 2007 and occupies 12,000 square feet with over 12,000 pieces of glass on permanent display. The museum is home to the National Marble Museum and The American Flint Glass Workers Union Archives.  The museum holds an annual marble festival and numerous special exhibits throughout the year.  More information can be found at http://magwv.com/. Questions about programs or the museum can be directed to 304-269-5006.

http://www.birthday.wv.gov/events West Virginia Birthday Events

http://www.birthday.wv.gov/events/Pages/default.aspx

This year on June 20th West Virginia will be 150 years old!   As Blenko Collectors we  often spend June 20th purchasing a Blenko Birthday Vase.

This year many cities in West Virginia are hosting events.  Four days of events to celebrate the 150th birthday.

The State of West Virginia has established a website with information pertaining to Birthday Celebration!

  

Readers Q - Answered

Answer from :  Blenko Project Volunteer(s).

This appears to be a Blenko #7229 in either the large version at 14 1/2" tall ($80.-100.) or the smaller version at 12" tall ($60.-80.). The color appears to be Blenko's Olive Green with the crackle finish. Even though the design number would be a '72 design the canister does not appear until the '74 catalog in the Leslie Pina reference book I have and the design disappears before the '77 catalog pages. Olive Green is the more common color and would be on the lower value side versus one in  Emerald Green or Pine. Looks interesting and I hope this has been of help in appreciating what your family is enjoying.

    Hello,
    I am trying to help a good friend ID a piece of presumably Blenko  crinkle glass that I believe is from at least the 40's. I do not have a tremendous amount of info, and the vase is in Texas. Please find attached the picture I recieved. I does not seam to any be any larger than 12-14". I am a collector of Pilgrim glass myself, but have dappled in Blenko, especially the crinkle variety. If you can give me an approximate time frame, and possible a guesstimate on value it would be greatly appreciated by our good friends in Texas. I know it is a sort of family heirloom that has been passed down at least a few generations. Any help you might be able to give or direct me in would make a few Texans very happy.
    
    Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.
    
    
    
    Sincerly and a big fan,
    
    J J

Refer to: blenkoproject.org for more blenko project info

Garden Festival

Pre-designer handled vases. 365 days of Blenko

Blenko # 490-S in Turquoise, Sea Green , and Amethyst (8 1/2")

Photos by Bruce Specht

www.blenkoglass.com   and www.blenkoproject.org  to learn more about Blenko and WVa Glass. 

The Historic Home of Three
Marble Manufacturers!
Set-up is free and begins at 8 AM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
10 AM UNTIL 3 PM
~ Sale of antique &
contemporary marbles
~ Exhibits, marble
identification,
books & more
~ Food available on site,
free parking
~ Free admission

A Program of Saturdays On The Square ~
Co-sponsored by the
Museum of American Glass in West Virginia

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT
Ann Fissel: 304-628-3445
18TH ANNUAL WEST VIRGINIA
MARBLE FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
Community Building ~ Cairo, WV
Adjacent to Town Square
The Historic Home of Three
Marble Manufacturers!
Set-up is free and begins at 8 AM
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
10 AM UNTIL 3 PM
~ Sale of antique &
contemporary marbles
~ Exhibits, marble
identification,
books & more
~ Food available on site,
free parking
~ Free admission
Explore our town, and be sure to see the
historic old Bank of Cairo exhibits!

April 27, 2013 from 11am to 2pm Weston, WV

Slow Art Day

 

Weston, WV – Slow Down, Look Deeply, Enjoy, Discover. That might be the hummed prayer for thousands around the world as they join a world wide event on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 11am to 2pm. The event, in its fourth year, asks people all over the globe to visit local museums and art galleries to look at art slowly. Participants are asked to look at five works of art for ten minutes each and then meet together over lunch to talk about their experience.

 

Sounds simple. It is. Organized by a pool of global volunteers who work with local volunteers the idea is spreading and will be practiced from Australia to Canada and well over one hundred points in between. One of those points is Weston, W.V. at the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia on Main Ave.

 

Our world always seems to be hurrying. It is little different when it comes to seeing art or enjoying it. The Louvre discovered some years ago that visitors look at the Mona Lisa, perhaps the world’s most iconic artwork, for just 15 seconds on average. In an age of moving images, fast paced entertainments and almost endless stimulation works of art in a more traditional media often are just “grazed” over, with a quick glance. Slow Art Day aspires to change that practice just a little, with hope of evoking trends of seeing not simply looking. The plan is a series of well orchestrated opportunities to take a long look at art.  Slow Art Day is the global all-volunteer event with a simple mission: help more people discover for themselves the joy of looking at and loving art.

 

Why Slow? When people look slowly at a piece of art they make discoveries.  The most important discovery they make is that they can see and experience art without an expert (or expertise). And that’s an exciting discovery. It unlocks passion and creativity and helps to create more art fans. At Slow Art Day, we like to believe that we are in the business of making more art fans – by helping people discover their own ability to look at and love art. Age, educational background or other becomes unimportant when the pace is slowed, the looking is intentional, and the shared discussion is about discovery.

 

Five glass art objects will be removed from their display cases and put on a table, Close inspection will be encouraged. The objects range from a contemporary young artist’ glass work from in Hawaii to internationally acclaimed contemporary glass artists. Five diverse objects will be featured. After the hour of viewing the group will reconvene to share a lunch and discuss the experience. Lunch is the responsibility of the individual but participation with or without partaking in the food is welcomed. Go to www.slowartday.com and click on participate, find the Weston event and register yourself. Join others at the 240 plus locations around the world in looking and seeing.

 

That’s it. Simple by design, the goal is to focus on the art and the art of seeing. In fact, Slow Art Day works best when people look at the art on their own slowly and then meet up to discuss the experience.

 

Questions? Call the Museum of American Glass at 304.269.5006

 

The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia is open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day noon to 4:00pm.  The balance of the year the museum is open daily noon to 4:00pm and closed on Wednesday and Sunday. Admission is free. It is easily accessible off I-79 exit 99 onto US 33 West for two miles to Main Avenue. A left turn onto Main and the museum is on the left at 230 Main Avenue. Begun in 1992, the museum relocated to its present location in 2007 and occupies 12,000 square feet with over 12,000 pieces of glass on permanent display. The museum is home to the National Marble Museum and The American Flint Glass Workers Union Archives.  The museum holds an annual marble festival and numerous special exhibits throughout the year.  More information can be found at http://magwv.com/. Questions about programs or the museum can be directed to 304-269-5006.

Black Glass

Yes.  Blenko did produce Ebony glass.   Many West Virginia Glass makers had ebony in their lines.
May I suggest you visit the American Glass Museum located in Weston - formerly the WV Glass Museum.
From your Clarksburg location it's a less than 30 minute drive.   There you'll find books with all the Ebony Glass made in West Virginia.  HJH

Blenko Ebony

Readers - can you ID this glass?

Hello,

I am trying to identify a Blenko tangerine inverted dot optic pattern decanter with round stopper #6915. As it is hard to see the images clearly in the online catalog, it was difficult to determine that the decanter we have is the same as the image in the catalog as it shows a blue not tangerine decanter.
 
Also, as you can see in the attached photos, I have another decanter #C37, which I did identify in the 1970 Blenko catalog. We are considering selling these decanters, but I have not found either of these decanters for sale on any web sites (ex: eBay) to get any idea on pricing. Do you have suggestions where I might look if we decide we want to sell them?

Thank you,

S

Spring Is Here!

 Hilary   I'm attaching a photo of glass by don shepard (crystal my favorite)  and a photo of you (from local magazine).
Crystal glass - Blenko crystal is best in Spring.  I use it for all the flowers from my garden, and also to serve foods.  
My all time favorite blenko color is peacock.  I have everything Blenko made in peacock.  I wish they would bring it back.  Will you publish this and also ask Blenko to again make peacock.
Betty Sue Scott

www.blenkoproject.org

1950s Blenko Glasses for Sale

I believe these sets are from 1939-1950, although I am not sure.   These belonged to the estate of my late Step Grandfather.  My family and I have no attachment to them and would like to try to sell to someone who would appreciate them.


 ~A

A Good Tooth . . . .

In  1923  John Rockefeller is to have said " a good tooth is worth its weight in fine diamonds."

In 1923  only the rich had access to quality dentist and doctors,  and teeth were not always valued by the middle and lower class.

I wish I could say everything has drastically changed.  It has not.   While affordable and often free dental services are available.  Attitudes about oral health have been slow to change, I'm happy to report in West Virginia   the publics desire to ' keep their teeth a life time'  is  slowly improving.

Among my circle of friends,  there seems to be an effort to purchase close to the source - food from
farmers,  clothing made IN USA - which I might say is more and more difficult.  
We are buying furniture that was either handcrafted locally or was made of quality wood or steel by a USA maker.

Blenko Glass is made in the USA.  Made in Milton, WVa ,  made daily by local craftsmen.
If you haven't tried Blenko Glass - go on line to the www.blenkoglass.com   website or visit the gift shop in Milton, WVa.  A list of shops carrying Blenko may be found on the Blenko Glass .   Check out the Blenko Project website to learn more about Blenko Glass.  www.blenkoproject.org

Ms.  B  and Mordi using Fiestaware for outdoor dining.  Fiestaware is made in West Virginia by Homer Laughlin China.

.

Blenko Glass 1937

Blenko Glass   1937.       All Blenko Glass catalogs are now online at the www.blenkoproject.org  web pages.   The Blenko Project is a non profit group devoted to Blenko Collecting, Archival of Blenko history, and to promote WVa and Blenko Glass.    If  can't identify your glass at The Blenko Project  send an email to theblenkoproject@aol.com  and we'll ask our volunteers to help with the identification.   There is no fee for services provided by The Blenko Project.   We ask only that you label appropriately any photos you take from the site,  that you ask for permission before you reprint as the Project is copyrighted.  

Bookends - Can we Identify?

Hi there,
We recently acquired a pair of glass bookends (see attached) and are wondering whether they might be Blenko pieces?
If so, any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

A

A.
We will post the photos and ask our readers to comment.  This is a book end I have not seen.
HJH

18th Annual Marble Festival - Cairo, WV - Saturday May 4, 2013

 

The 18th Annual West Virginia Marble Festival is set for Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Community Building in Cairo, West Virginia. The location is adjacent to the town square in the town which is the historic home of three marble manufacturers. The festival is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include the sale of antique and contemporary marbles, exhibits, marble identification, books and more. Food is available on site and both admission and parking are free.

For those interested in selling or just displaying, set up is free and begins at 8 a.m. For those arriving Friday evening, the Community Building will be open 6 to 8 p.m. for marble chat, networking and informal mixing.

The town of Cairo is interesting to explore and an added attraction is the historic old Bank of Cairo exhibits.

The festival is part of “A Program of Saturdays on the Square” co-sponsored by the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia. For further information contact Ann Fissel at 304-628-3445.

 

 

The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia is open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day noon to 4:00pm.  The balance of the year the museum is open daily noon to 4:00pm and closed on Wednesday and Sunday. Admission is free. It is easily accessible off I-79 exit 99 onto US 33 West for two miles to Main Avenue. A left turn onto Main and the museum is on the left at 230 Main Avenue. Begun in 1992, the museum relocated to its present location in 2007 and occupies 12,000 square feet with over 12,000 pieces of glass on permanent display. The museum is home to the National Marble Museum and The American Flint Glass Workers Union Archives.  The museum holds an annual marble festival and numerous special exhibits throughout the year.  More information can be found at http://magwv.com/. Questions about programs or the museum can be directed to 304-269-5006.

Glass in WV event - Sat April 6th

Wellsburg 200th anniversary of Glass in WV event info -

Sat April 6th

The year was 1813 and glass began being produced in Wellsburg (then
Charlestown, Va.). This year marks the 200th anniversary of that important
and the birth of an industry that helped define West Virginia in intervening
two centuries.

Isaac Taylor Duval and Company began production in Wellsburg at a site near
the more recent Brooke/Crescent site and made a high grade of cut glass
tableware. The firm was sold in 1838. The Museum of American Glass in West
Virginia, located in Weston, is partnering with a number of institutions
across West Virginia to celebrate this historic benchmark. The year long
celebration of the birth of glass making in the Mountain State begins April
6th at the Brooke County Historical Museum and Culture Center at 704 Charles
Street, Wellsburg.  The museum has a room devoted to glass made in the
Wellsburg community.
Mr. George Leonard, the great, great, great grandson of Isaac T. Duval was
kind enough to loan us several pieces of Duval glass that are a part of his
collection, along with other family memorabilia which shall be on display,"
said Ruby Greathouse, curator of the Brooke County organization. This offers
an uncommon opportunity for students of West Virginia glass to see examples
of the early ware that descended in the family and have a strong provenance
of Duval manufacture.  Dozens of other Wellsburg glass products from many of
the 39 city glass producers are on display as well.

Representatives from the Museum of American Glass will be on hand to address
questions about glass history, identification and offer information noted
Dean Six, executive director of the glass museum.

The Brooke County Open House and related programming will begin at
10:00 am on Saturday April 6 and include refreshments, a program and an
opportunity to chat about the cities and states rich glass heritage.
Admission is free.

questions may be directed to the Museum at 304. 737. 4060.

Husted and miniature

As promised, here is another blenko glass photo from Bruce.

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HI Hillary,

Just consider this my Chihuahua / Great Dane picture for Blenko. I ran across both of these and managed to snag both for $20 each. Yes I know the stopper is the wrong color but I have always liked that on occasion you can get by with a different color. In this case I had found the stopper a long time ago in a small antique mall in Denton Texas and had just put it aside hoping one day to find a body. Eventually I may but Charcoal is a little hard to find. For now I can enjoy it until I either find a Turquoise stopper or a Charcoal body. The Ruby piece is a Blenko miniature Blenko #3516 G (4 1/2").

Hope you enjoy,

Bruce Specht

COVET

COVET -  Yearn to possess or have (something).  I don't desire to own the big or expensive Blenko items.  My desire is simple.
My collection of Blenko is small.   Made up primarily of glass made for me by retired or current employees at Blenko.  I also own several items made by glassworkers from other small independent glass shops.
There are several Blenko catalog items I covet -  1)The Blenko Pineapple  ( my parents own one or more of every piece of fruit / veggie Blenko made except the Pineapple.  Other than in photos, we have never seen the Blenko pineapple.   The pineapple is a coveted item in our home.  2) The Blenko Ram heads are also items I would want to own.  We did see the Rams Head in 2008 -  A Blenko collector from Montgomery acquired one.  

For many years we've searched for the Blenko Pineapple  ( older version) and a set of Blenko Ram heads.
Note:  Photo from the  Blenko Glass collection belonging to Robert Stock