Blenko Glass - Collectors Should Wait for the Fat Lady to Sing
February 2nd, 2009 by amodernguy
Blenko #585 Mulberry Pitcher - Wayne Husted - 1958 - View #1
Blenko Glass, a world renowned glass producer and one of West Virginia’s most famous businesses, announced to workers Friday afternoon, Jan. 30, 2009, that production had ceased. As rumors of financial difficulties have been in the wind for quite some time, and the company made some major leadership changes in the past year, this move came as no real surprise to anybody who had been paying attention.
With any luck this will not be the end of Blenko and hope still remains throughout West Virginia that it will not be. As the Charleston Daily Mail says in it’s editorial today, “With Blenko, it isn’t over until it’s over. Here’s hoping for the best.” I think this is the sentiment of every citizen in the state and Blenko collectors throughout the world.
The Blenko gift shop in Milton is still operating as of today. In fact, it has been reported that crowds were huge over the weekend and sales were brisk as people flocked to pick up remaining pieces of current inventory. While I’m certain many were collectors making sure they got pieces before they were gone I would venture to guess others were simply trying to “stock up” on the hope that prices would skyrocket. This happened when Fenton glass announced their closure in August of 2007 and prices temporarily soared only to go back to normal after the closure was avoided and the Williamstown, WV factory continued production.
As my primary interest in Blenko Glass is in their “Golden Age” pieces from the 1950’s and 60’s I did not make a beeline down I-64 this weekend to pick at what may not yet prove to be a carcass. Instead, I ran my usual route of places to find quality, vintage Blenko and managed to acquire a piece which had alluded me for a long time.
The #585 pitcher shown here was designed by Wayne Husted. The Mulberry color of this pierce-handled pitcher is highly sought after by collectors as it was only produced in 1958. This piece is one of Husted’s great designs and the pitcher I located in a local antique emporium is in fabulous condition.
Blenko #585 Mulberry Pitcher - Wayne Husted - 1958 - View #2
This time of crisis for the Blenko Glass Company will hopefully pass and the firm will keep producing high-quality, hand crafted glass for generations to come. That is certainly my sincere hope. Collectors of contempory pieces should pick up what they can (with the caveat that no one should be paying inflated prices as the final outcome of this situation is not yet known nor its impact on prices) and visit the Blenko gift shop. Surely every sale there will help keep the doors open if that is possible.
Avid collectors of vintage Blenko should, as always, keep their eye out for they pieces they are after - you never know when that perfect piece is going to surface - like the one I discovered this weekend.
But avoid dealers who are arbitrarily raising prices in light of these recent developments. For new pieces the true collectible value has yet to be established and for vintage pieces, long out of production, the news of Blenko’s woes doesn’t change supply one iota at this point. Ultimately, after the dust settles, demand could increase and impact prices but that has not yet been determined.
As was the case with Fenton just a few years ago, the fat lady has yet to sing and wise collectors are waiting for her song.
Here’s wishing for the best.
So glad to see you posting again after your hiatus. Great wares you are showing! Sounds like some of the Blenko collectors are coming your way for a visit. I stopped in for a visit in late November but you weren’t in. Will try again next time I am in town.
West Virginia Janis
I also have the exact mulberry pitcher. Would you have any idea what is the fair market value for this item? I may be looking to sell it in the near future. thanks so much, Jo
My late father had a huge collection of Blenko. During the late 40s through mid 50s, he had occasion to go past Milton several times a year, and always stopped and bought a few pieces.
After he died, I gave most of his collection to the WV Museum. It included two tall purple ornamental decanters he had bought for his mother in law, my grandmother, and took back from her estate after she died. Blenko still makes–or made until it stopped production–that design, but only about half the size of grandma’s.