1930–1982
BLENKO HANDCRAFT
label · glass · United States
Hand-shaped BLENKO HANDCRAFT label; the company’s sticker chronology gives 1930–1982.
Glass
Blenko marks
On glass from Milton, West Virginia, United States, Blenko marks carry “BLENKO HANDCRAFT / Made in USA”. The mark period is 1999–2000.
- Active years
- From 1922
- Country
- United States
- City / region
- Milton, West Virginia
- Products
- stained-glass sheet, handblown decorative glass, tableware, architectural slab glass
- Marks
- 6
Milton factory established in 1921; earlier unsuccessful ventures began in 1893. Decorative blown-glass production began in 1930. Company continues.
What to look for
- Compare the whole label: the early hand shape, white B with red dot, clear outlined hand and silver oval hand are different versions.
- Read the sandblasted production year on recent pieces. A separate personal signature is an additional mark.
- Match shape, dimensions and colour to a dated catalogue as well as reading the label.
Marks & lettering
6 marks
1999–2000
BLENKO HANDCRAFT / Made in USA
A clear label with black outlined hand replaces the white-B/red-dot sticker.
label · glass · Milton, West Virginia, United States
From 2000
BLENKO HANDCRAFT / MADE IN USA
An oval silver foil surround distinguishes it from the 1999–2000 clear outlined-hand label.
label · glass · Milton, West Virginia, United States
2002
Blenko / 2002; Richard Blenko [separate script signature]
The factory name is followed by 2002; the larger Richard Blenko signature is a separate addition.
sandblasted · glass · Milton, West Virginia, United States
Undated
John W. Blenko
Personal script signature differs from the standard factory name-and-year mark; offered as an optional addition.
sandblasted · glass · Milton, West Virginia, United States
About Blenko
William John Blenko established the Eureka Art Glass Company in Milton, West Virginia, in 1921 after several earlier attempts to manufacture glass in the United States. The English-born glassmaker initially concentrated on antique-style coloured sheet glass for stained-glass windows. His son William H. Blenko joined him in Milton in 1923. The factory supplied architectural glass as well as developing the skills that later supported its decorative production.
In 1930 the business turned to blown tableware and decorative glass and became the Blenko Glass Company. Its range grew to include pitchers, bowls, vases, decanters and drinking glasses in strong transparent colours. The rectangular No. 384 water bottle, introduced in 1938, became one of its most recognisable products.
Blenko hired Winslow Anderson as its first resident designer in 1947. Wayne Husted, Joel Philip Myers and Don Shepherd subsequently developed different ranges, from sculptural decanters to large floor pieces. Paper, foil and plastic labels identified much of the glass. Since the early 2000s, the factory has also sandblasted its name and a production year into the base.
Also known as: Eureka Art Glass Company · Blenko Handcraft · Blenko Glass Company, Inc.
Look-alikes & how to tell them apart
Blendo by West Virginia Specialty Glass
Blendo commonly has frosted sprayed colour and a gold rim on thin, machine-made tableware. Blenko is a separate company, known for handblown coloured glass and pontil scars.
Italian production glass / Empoli
Similar mid-century shapes exist in Italian glass. Compare the original label and the exact catalogue shape; a rough pontil or bright colour alone does not name a maker.