Debunking Blenko
You know the glass, but do you know the full story?
Get the skinny on this classic midcentury collectible from a Blenko insider.
With their eye-catching colors and unique forms, midcentury pieces from Blenko Glass Co. are a staple in the home of Midcentury Modern fans. Dean Six, glass author and Blenko Vice President of Marketing and Sales, shares about the company’s vibrant history, the collectability of the iconic glassware and the trial of identifying pieces that have lost their handy silver sticker.
BLENKO BIO
Blenko Glass Co., a handmade glass manufacturer, started in 1893. Seeking to make glass using natural gas, John Blenko brought his glassmaker talents from London to America and started the company. Initially, John named his company Eureka Art Glass as he had discovered a formula for a true red glass, but according to Dean the name changed in the 1920s to reflect the family ownership.
Despite its long history, the Blenko technique has not changed much over the years—although it is anything but predictable. “We have long used diverse techniques—mouth blown into wooden and metal molds, cast into a dump mold, and on it goes. Our processes are not one, but several,” Dean says.
The result of these varying techniques is over 120 years of stunning glassware creations—each with unique characteristics, bold colors and artful form. Thanks to the talent behind each Blenko creation, these items are far more than just a piece of glass. The midcentury era pieces still captivate collectors due to their rainbow of hues, sensual silhouettes and inspired designs.
The midcentury era pieces still captivate collectors due to their rainbow of hues, sensual silhouettes and inspired designs.
COLLECTOR CONFUSION
Despite their undeniable beauty, properly identifying a piece of Blenko glass can require some legwork. Lost stickers, mimicked designs and a misunderstanding of what exactly the company produced are often the culprits that lead well-intentioned collectors astray.
Dean notes that because Blenko did not mark its wares for decades and because the brand’s style has been widely imitated, identification can indeed be difficult. Since Blenko did and does not follow a specific pattern, the general organic form of their glassware is at times similar to wares of other manufacturers.
“Most—by far the majority [of]—pieces will not have the sticker. It was intended as a point of sale identification, not long-term identification,” Dean says. Yet even without a sticker, identification is anything but hopeless. As Dean points out, “There are endless resources.” He suggests turning to books, many of which are essentially reprints of the annual Blenko catalogs, as well as collector-run websites that show the catalogs. Other than that, he says that identification comes down to studying the forms and shapes.
STUNNING & SOUGHT-AFTER
While many collectables have an average price range, Dean says that for Blenko, it simply is “not possible.” The large variety of midcentury designs and their varying interest to collectors cause prices to vary widely. “Small but desired items—like the 1964 series of vases—sell well but are modestly priced. Large piece can be in the neighborhood of $1,500 to $2,000 on the market now,” he says.
Color has a massive impact on the value of a piece. According to Dean, period colors like smoky grays and vibrant oranges are considered strong examples of midcentury production and are therefore highly sought after. “Pieces in colors that were not introduced into the official line also have appeal. These were samples, experimental pieces and occasionally pieces made for a single account—such as a large department store. These may be recognizable forms but in colors that are less common,” Dean says.
“Call them floor decanters, architectural pieces or whatever, but it’s
“The large pieces [have] consistently held their value best in recent years.”
the near or over 30-inch tall pieces that seem most constant in demand.” When those large-scale pieces have interesting stoppers or overall form, their demand only increases. Dean notes that some collectors follow specific Blenko designers, but he describes those trends as “erratic followings and not stable markets.” Rather, most collectors follow the brand as a whole, seeking out specific colors, a favorite year or a similar line of items—such as the floor decanters.
“Many of the most desired pieces today are the same ones that were commercially less successful [in the midcentury]. Lack of period sales creates a scarcity today,” Dean says. “A case in point is the immense number of large—think 10-inches or so—ash trays that were sold by the thousands in the 1950s through the 70’s. While there is interest in them today, they are not hot market items.” According to Dean, in the midcentury smoking items accounted for up to three pages of content in the annual Blenko catalogs.
Still in operation in Milton, West Virginia, Blenko now makes hand blown sheet glass for stained and leaded glass windows, cast items for architectural uses, specialty items for private customers as well as novelty items, giftware and tableware.
Period colors like smoky grays and vibrant oranges are considered strong examples of midcentury production and are therefore highly sought after.