Author Archive

The dreidel, Christmas tree, black, red and green candles are readily identifiable elements of Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, ones that we’re all familiar with.  I was chatting with Carol this afternoon and asked about her holiday plans. Along with a Christmas eve gathering and visiting family on Christmas day, she mentioned an annual tradition something akin to a Chinese auction.  Unusual maybe, but a unique experience that will continue with the next generation and the next . . .

I’m curious.  Does your family have a special holiday tradition?  When did it begin?  Share your experience with us.  And Happy Holidays.

While many consider ‘original’ art to be the most valuable, there are many prints that bring surprising prices.  John James Audubon prints are widely known and collected — and reproduced by the millions.  How do you know if your print is valuable or someone’s promotional give-away?  Ron Flynn has some advice.  Although now retired, for many years Mr. Flynn collected, sold, and authored guides to the prints of Audubon and shares much of this knowledge on his website [http://www.auduboninfo.net/index.htm].

The first Audubon edition, Birds of America published in London, included 435 hand colored prints, issued in 87 parts of 5 prints each, and spanned the years 1826-1838.  Other editions of Birds of America were followed by The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America and Quadrupeds of North America, also with more than one edition.  Modern day editions of high quality began appearing in the early 1970s.  Of course, there’s cheap prints, calendars, posters, copies, etc. numbering in the millions.

So which is worth keeping, and which do you wrap the fish in?  Actually, it’s a little complicated when you realize just how many editions (some quite limited) were produced under different labels.  Mr. Flynn does an remarkable job of explaining in detail each of the collections – size, paper, ink, printing process, watermark, embossing, plate number, and more.  All details that, with a bit of detective work, can help you identify your print.  It’s unlikely you’ll run across one of the early editions, but some of the modern ones bring quite respectable prices.  Maybe it’s time to take a closer look at Audubon print that’s hung over Grandma’s fireplace for years.

Brigette has stocked her booth with some lovely items. You’ll find Booth #15 at the top of the stairs.

Two Websites – One Subject: Fenton Glass

Fenton Art Glass has a long history of producing beautiful, colorful, quality glass.  Started in 1905 by two Fenton brothers, the company today is still family owned and operated.  Last July, Fenton announced they would stop production of their traditional glass, and focus on lampwork beads and teardrop earrings.  Existing inventory is still available and there’s over a hundred years of art glass already out there.

More so than many other companies, Fenton made a commitment to collectors.  By sharing the company’s history, from the earliest logos and labels, a timeline of artisians, signatures, and more – they’ve removed a lot of the guesswork for both collectors and dealers.  Quite helpful, especially if you’re about to plunk down a good chunk of change for a Fenton piece.

The site map at the bottom of Fenton’s home page [http://www.fentonartglass.com] leads you to the company history where you’ll find, not only the Fenton story, but a timeline and family tree.  Paper labels used from 1921 are illustrated along with comments about each.  Included in the mold logos, which were only begun in the 70s, are logos used on seconds.  Fenton Family Signatures is an invaluable reference for the ‘Family Signature Series’ introduced in 1993.

In the 50s it was decided that each basket handler (those who attached the handles to baskets) should have their own mark.  Basket Handler Marks, along with employment dates, can be found on the Collectors page.  Yet another great help in dating Fenton.

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Our second website “Fenton Fanatics” [http://www.fentonfan.com/] is sponsored by Berry Patch Gifts, an Alabama Fenton dealer.  It has direct links to most of the subject matter mentioned above, but also a great deal of additional information you won’t want to pass up.

Two databases are available with a great search engine.  Fenton glass has been sold through QVC since 1989 and you have a choice of browsing through 43 pages of photos (fun, but time-consuming if you’re looking for a particular item) or using the search.  Fill in as little information as ‘bowl’ and up pops every bowl offered on QVC.  Click on a single one and everything you could possibly want to know is at your fingertips: name, date, color/treatment, mold type, QVC item #, Fenton #, price, signature, description, and a photo.  Those who collect animals will be tickled pink with the Fenton Animals database – same search engine, same great results.

Fenton catalogs in full color from January 1950.  Candy for the eyes, you’ve got to browse through these to realize the beauty, variety, and glorious color of Fenton glass.

Over the years, many decorators worked at Fenton.  The Decorators’ Names list is extensive, includes ‘also known as’ (usually due to marriage), and, where possible, the actual signature.  A shorter list identifies some of the independent and retired artists known to have painted Fenton glass outside the factory.

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With the valuable knowledge offered in these websites and a little ‘hands on’ experience, you can feel confident in selecting Fenton Art Glass.