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is fenton glass still in business

by Prof. Kianna Wolff MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Fenton Ceases All Manufacturing Operations in 2011
After 100 years in business, Fenton Art Glass shuttered its glass making plant in 2011. Afterward, another Ohio glassmaker acquired the molds and currently produces an assortment of Fenton-stamped collectibles.
Mar 19, 2021

Who buys Fenton Glass?

Naturally, this Fenton Federal Blue cased glass wheat vase with ruffled edges is not a true antique just yet — it was first produced in 1980’s. However, it is definitely a nice specimen of the ...

What is the most valuable Fenton Glass?

What is the most valuable Fenton Glass? A Fenton hobnail 4 1/2-inch vase can go for $15 to $50. The older it is, the higher in cost. Opalescent or iridescent glass can be worth more. Hobnail glass was popular in Victorian times, then, it was called "dewdrop glass." When Fenton introduced it in 1939, it became a hit.

How to tell if Fenton Glass is authentic?

How to Identify Milk Glass

  • Method 1 of 3: Differentiating Between Regular Glass and Milk Glass. Look for a creamy-textured glass. ...
  • Method 2 of 3: Evaluating Company Hallmarks. Look for an engraved "F" or "Fenton" on the bottom of the piece. ...
  • Method 3 of 3: Using Other Methods. Purchase a milk glass collectors manual. ...

Is the Fenton Glass Company still in business?

They still share a lab and practically everything else: student researchers, group meetings, grants, and businesses. Tanvas, formerly called Tangible Haptics, is Colgate and Peshkin’s most recent business venture and is poised to become the most ground breaking.

Is Fenton Glass worth anything?

Fenton's carnival glass was first marketed as the "golden sunset iridescent assortment" in catalogs. In 1907 when these pieces first sold, they cost 85 cents. A Fenton autumn acorns bowl averages for about $65. You can find some selling for as much as $150.

Where is Fenton Glass made today?

Art glass using the original Fenton mold designs, including the Fenton emblem, continues to be produced at another factory in nearby Ohio, while handcrafted jewelry and hand painted items will continue to be offered at the new Fenton Art Glass Gift Shop at 2242 Williams Highway, Williamstown, WV 26187.

Why did Fenton go out of business?

Due to ongoing financial problems, they had to lay off many of their employees, and at last they were forced to announce the closure of Fenton Art Glass's traditional glass products. However, the Fenton Gift Shop, which was the primary retailer of Fenton Art Glass, remained in business.

Who bought Fenton Glass?

Stretch Glass Society Acquires Fenton Moulds The Stretch Glass Society is now the proud owner of the original Fenton Art Glass Company moulds for the Melon Rib #847 bowl and cover and the #1532 twin dolphin candy jar and cover.

How can you tell how old a Fenton Glass is?

Marks on Fenton Glass In 1970, Fenton began molding their logo into their glass products, as seen above in the center and right photos. Beginning in 1980, a tiny number “8” was added below “Fenton,” in 1990 a “9” was added, and then in 2000, a “0.”

Is Fenton Glass blown?

Fenton is the largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the United States, and the company is renowned for innovative glass colors as well as handpainted decorations on pressed and blown glassware.

How much is Fenton carnival glass Worth?

Fenton's carnival glass was first marketed as the "golden sunset iridescent assortment" in catalogs. In 1907 when these pieces first sold, they cost 85 cents. A Fenton autumn acorns bowl averages for about $65. You can find some selling for as much as $150.

When did the Fenton factory close?

2011Photo by Wayne Towner The Fenton Art Glass Co. factory operated for over a century in Williamstown, before closing in 2011.

When did Fenton make hobnail?

Milk glass hobnail was introduced by Fenton in 1950, and proved to be one of their most successful products. It kept the company going during the very difficult years when many other glassworks closed down. Just about every Fenton shape has been produced in hobnail milk glass.

Does Fenton Glass have uranium?

The Fenton cranberry glass color comes from pure gold. Glass colors (yellow or green) containing uranium will fluoresce under black light.

Who painted Fenton Glass?

JK "Robin" Spindler. Robin Spindler, known as ''J.K. Spindler'' to those who collect Fenton glass, says she is the ''serious one'' among the Fenton decoration design group.

Where did Fenton Glass originate?

Martins Ferry, OhioTurning Glass into Fine Art Since 1905 Fenton Art Glass was founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. and John W. Fenton. They began their business In Martins Ferry, Ohio, by painting decorations on glassware made by nearby manufacturers.

When did Fenton Glass start?

Decorations. Fenton had a long history of decorating glass that goes back to its beginnings in 1905 . The Fenton Art Glass company started out as a decorating company that purchased blanks from glass manufacturers and placed their own decorations on them.

When did Fenton Art Glass close?

However, on December 4, 2007, Fenton Art Glass released a press statement, saying that due to an unexpected buying frenzy and internal restructuring, the company would stay open until at least the spring of 2008.

What was the name of the bottle that Fenton made?

The bottles were made in French opalescent glass with the hobnail pattern. In 1940, Fenton started selling Hobnail items in French Opalescent, Green Opalescent and Cranberry Opalescent. The Hobnail pattern glass would become the top-selling line and allowed the Fenton company to exist during WWII and to expand after the war.

What did Fenton produce during the Great Depression?

During the Great Depression and World War II, Fenton produced practical items (such as mixing bowls and tableware) due to shortages. At the same time, they continued creating new colors. Towards the end of the Great Depression they also produced perfume bottles for the Wrisley Company in 1938.

What is Colonial Green over Milk Glass?

Colonial green over milk glass, used only on lamps. Vasa Murrhina is a cased glass, the name means vessel of gems. This type of glass has a long history pre dating Fenton. Frank M. Fenton had glass chemist Charles Goe develop a way to make it since the way it was made was long forgotten.

What system did Fenton use to describe the items it produced?

Fenton used a coding system to describe the items it produced. The code used numbers for the pattern and letters for the color. There were also letter codes for any decorations.

When did Fenton mark preferred seconds?

From June 1996 to July 1998 Fenton marked preferred seconds sold in their gift shop with a sandblasted solid or hollow star. In August 1998 an F replaced the star. Another type of mark is found on glass baskets. Where the glass handles of the baskets are attached to the base of the basket a stamp is made.

What is Fenton glass?

For more than 100 years, Fenton art glass was the largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the United States . Fenton glass works are renowned for innovative glass colors as well as hand-painted decorations on pressed and blown glassware.

When was Fenton milk glass made?

When Fenton introduced it in 1939, it became a hit. Pre-1958 Fenton milk glass is said to be easily distinguishable because it is less dense, less opaque, than their milk glass made from 1958 onwards. Also, the Fenton logo was introduced on milk glass from 1974 onwards, with a tiny number "8" below the word Fenton for pieces made during ...

How much did a Fenton autumn acorn bowl cost?

In 1907 when these pieces first sold, they cost 85 cents. A Fenton autumn acorns bowl averages for about $65. You can find some selling for as much as $150. The rage for carnival glass in the U.S. continued for ten years (1908 to about 1918 ).

How much does a Fenton orange tree compote footed dish cost?

Depending on the year it was made, if you have a Fenton orange tree compote footed dish, you can get $10 to $30 if you were to sell (or buy) this dish online.

How much does a cranberry hobnail vase cost?

A Fenton cranberry hobnail vase can go for $20 to $40 depending on the size. Another factor that can bring up the cost is if the piece has the maker's mark or retains the maker sticker.

How much does a Fenton cornucopia candle cost?

A Fenton cornucopia candle holder can go for $20 to $30. If you have a pair, you can charge a little more. Some pairs can sell from $50 to $100. And, if you have the matching bowl, you can sell the three-piece set for upwards of $100.

How much does a Daisy Button vase cost?

The pattern on the vase is called "Daisy Button," made of hobstars and starbursts. You can find these vases selling online for $10 to $30. The highest-priced ones are made of a mix of transparent and opaque glass and were made circa 1910.

How to tell if glass is Fenton glass?

To identify whether a piece of glass is Fenton glass, look for a sticker near the bottom of the item. The stickers are usually oval and may have scalloped or smooth edges. You may also see an oval with the word Fenton stamped into the glass if the piece was made after 1970.

What is the name of the glass that Fenton made?

Fenton also specialized in a form of glass known as Hobnail, which is covered with small button-like bumps.

What is a Fenton glass sticker?

Before 1970, Fenton glass was usually marked with oval stickers. Many of these stickers were lost or removed over time, but some of them are still attached. The stickers are often affixed to the bottom of the glass. Stickers may be an oval foil sticker with scalloped or smooth edges.

What does it mean when a glass mold is marked with an F?

If your piece is marked with an F in an oval, it indicates that the glass mold was originally owned by a company other than Fenton, and Fenton later acquired that mold. This mark came into use in 1983. ...

What does the 8 on the Fenton logo mean?

Check for a small number in the oval that denotes the year. In the 1980s, Fenton added a number 8 to the logo to indicate the decade when the pieces were made. They used a 9 during the 90s and a 0 from 2000 to the present. These numbers may be small and hard to see.

When did carnival glass start having a Fenton logo?

Stickers may be an oval foil sticker with scalloped or smooth edges. Examine carnival glass for an oval logo starting from about 1970. The first Fenton logo to be stamped into the glass was the word Fenton inside of an oval.

What are the characteristics of Fenton glass?

The base will have a flat, collared surface, or it may have a ball or spatula feet. The edges are often smooth, bracketed, crimped, or ruffled, and are one of Fenton’s most recognizable characteristics.

What is Fenton glass known for?

Glass from the 1970’s onward typically contains the “Fenton” mark as described above. Fenton is known for their darling ruffles.

When did Fenton start making glass?

Fenton entered the glass market in 1908 with the introduction of what later became known as “carnival” glass. Using Tiffany and Steuben iridescent glass as inspiration, Fenton ultimately produced over 130 patterns of what some have called “poor man’s Tiffany.”.

How to wash Fenton glass?

You can wash Fenton glass pretty much as you would wash any other kind of glass: with soap and water. Squirt some dish washing liquid into a bowl and add warm water. I place mine in the sink with a towel underneath to avoid breakage.

What is the name of the piece of silver crest milk glass with hand painted violets?

Pieces of Silver Crest milk glass with hand-painted violets is known as “violets in the snow” and dates to 1969-84.

What is opaque glass called?

Glass lovers refer to opaque glass in this yellow color as “custard glass.” And further, because its surface is matte rather than glossy, it is referred to as “satin glass.”

What is Fenton's Silver Crest pattern?

Fenton’s Silver Crest pattern, denoted by a 1/4″ clear glass edge on the ruffle, is perhaps its second most famous pattern, after hobnail. One would likely use this pretty 3 3/4″ high piece for candy or nuts.

Who made the glassware in 1905?

Vintage Fenton Glass History. In 1905, John and Frank Fenton of Ohio opened the Fenton Glass Company. Initially they focused on painting “blank” glassware. But eventually, they moved to West Virginia, which had the raw materials needed for glass production, and began producing their own glassware–with great success.

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Overview

Continuing the glass bead jewelry tradition

In 2015, Fenton's glass bead jewelry business was purchased by John Barton Company of Philadelphia, PA. Today, the company operates a manufacturing and fulfillment center in Philadelphia, producing glass beads for the wholesale and retail markets, as well as selling directly to consumers through an online store.

History

The original factory was in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio in 1905. The factory at one time was owned by the former West Virginia Glass Company. At first they painted glass blanks from other glass makers, but started making their own glass when they became unable to buy the materials they needed. They moved across the Ohio river to Williamstown, West Virginia, and built a factory in 1906. The first year for glass production was 1907. In 1908 John Fenton left the co…

Maker marks

In 1970, the company added their logo to the bottom of their "Original Formula" Carnival Glass pieces to distinguish them from their older Carnival Glass pieces. By 1974, Fenton was putting their logo on all the pieces they made. Pieces made in the 1980s have the number eight under the letter "n" in the logo, pieces from the 1990s have the number nine and pieces made in the 2000s have a 0 in the same place. From June 1996 to July 1998 Fenton marked preferred seconds sol…

Item codes

Fenton used a coding system to describe the items it produced. The code used numbers for the pattern and letters for the color. There were also letter codes for any decorations.

Closure

On August 9, 2007, Fenton Art Glass sent out a press release stating they would "cease... operations over the next few months."
Their plans involved laying off 25 employees immediately, and in the following weeks, the rest of their workers would be laid off. However, on December 4, 2007, Fenton Art Glass released a press statement, saying that due to an unexpected buying frenzy and internal restructuring, the compa…

See also

• Fairy lamp

External links

• Fenton Glass Jewelry - Handmade Beads & Charms for Bracelets and Jewelry
• Fenton Art Glass Company's website
• The Fenton Art Glass Collectors of America
• The National Fenton Glass Society

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