Fenton Art Glass: An All American Company, Almost 100 Years Old!

By Tony DeMasi

Collector Editions Magazine

Fall/Winter 2002

"It's impossible to find anything made in the United States" may be the lament of many consumers, but not when it comes to what is arguably the world's best hand-painted art glass. Located at 700 Elizabeth Street, Williamstown, W. Va., Fenton Art Glass is the classic American story. It's a family-owned company with close to 600 employees. It is also the largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the United States and will soon be celebrating its 100th anniversary!

The Fenton Art Glass Company was founded in 1905 by Frank L. and John W. Fenton in an old glass factory building in Martins Ferry, Ohio. The brothers began by painting decorations on glass blanks made by other glass manufacturers. Soon, being unable to get the glass they needed, they decided to produce their own glass. The first glass from the new Fenton factory in Williamstown, W. Va. was made on January 2, 1907.

Frank's desire to develop new and unusual colors helped to keep the company in the forefront of the handmade art glass industry. From 1905 to the 1920s, Fenton design was heavily influenced by the artists at Tiffany and Steuben. In late 1907, Fenton introduced "Iridescent" glass. This glass, now known as "Carnival" glass, is a popular collectible today.

During The Depression and World War II, the Fentons put "American ingenuity" to the test. Seeing the market for decorative items come to a virtual halt, they produced practical items, such as mixing bowls and tableware, to get through the shortages. During this time, they also continued working on developing a wide array of new colors. Their professional accomplishments though were overshadowed by personal grief shortly after the war. In the late 1940s, the top three members of the Fenton management team died, leaving Frank M. Fenton, age 33, and Wilmer C. (Bill) Fenton, age 25, to step in and take over as president and vice president. In spite of other glass factories closing at a rapid rate, the second generation led the Fenton factory through significant American growth for the next 30 years.

In 1986, the leadership of the company passed on to the third generation, with George W. Fenton, Frank M.'s son, taking over as president. Today 12 Fenton family members work together along with employees to create handmade glass artistry that is loved by collectors around the world. Bill's son, Don, is vice president of sales, daughter Shelley is graphics manager, son Randy is treasurer of the gift shop, and daughter Christine is data processor for the gift shop. Frank's son Tom is vice president of manufacturing, and son Mike is safety director and purchasing manager. Frank's granddaughter Lynn is a sales and marketing specialist and grandson Scott a retail accounts executive. George's wife, Nancy, is design director.

Fenton Art Glass is know for its beautiful colors and patterns. Each piece is an artistic creation by skilled glassworkers and decorators.

Owning a piece of Fenton Art Glass is a delight, but watching it being made is an outright thrill! The Fenton family allows the public to do just that by way of factory tours. The Fenton glassmaking tours are up close and personal. Specially trained guides take you right to the action where skilled glassworkers use the tools and techniques of centuries ago to create beautiful art glass right before your eyes!

You'll see glassblowing and pressing operations as well as Fenton's signature skills - basket handling and "ringing!" The Fenton Art Glass company tour was recently ranked among the nation's "Top 10" in USA Today! Tours are held 12 times a day, Monday through Friday.

You'll also enjoy visiting the Fenton Museum. There is no admission charge. More than 1,000 pieces are exhibited in a comfortable environment where you can browse to your heart's content. On display is Fenton glass made from 1907 to about 1980. Included is the now rare Carnival glass that first made Fenton famous, exotic colors from the 1920s, and great patterns from the 1930s, along with opalescent and Hobnail and the hand-painted glass reflecting the talents of Louise Piper.

The adjacent Fenton Museum Theater offers a 22 minute video, a fascinating look at Fenton history and glass artistry.

There is no way you will resist visiting the Fenton Gift Shop. In addition to seeing an array of product, you'll visit the "Featured Artist" alcove. There you can see one of the world's best decorating artists at work ... and the magic of hand-painted glass comes alive as you watch! Display fixtures in the alcove showcase the decorator's talents. You just might find a one-of-a-kind piece you can't live without!

Anytime is perfect to visit Fenton Art Glass, but a few times a year are extra special. From late June to mid-August, the company traditionally holds its "Big Top Sale." It features substantial savings on many hard-to-find pieces, in addition to factory overstocks, special order items, preferred seconds, lamps, and more. There are weekly specials too! Labor Day weekend, members of the Fenton family are on hand to sign any piece you want. Come February, Fenton Art Glass traditionally holds a special half-price sale on "retired" items from the 14th to the 24th.

Current Fenton items are sold through gift and collectible retailers across the country. Retailers carry different portions of the Fenton line; so expect to see quite a range of presentations. Fenton retailers work closely with their collectors, placing special orders for items not in current stock.

If you can't make it to the Fenton Art Glass factory, it, in part, may be coming close to you. Featured Fenton artists frequently visit retail shops across the country for special appearances. There they demonstrate special hand-painting techniques. Exclusives designed by these artists are always available at the events. Members of the Fenton family visit stores, too, along with exhibiting at the annual International Gift and Collectibles Show held in Rosemont, Ill., each July. And Fenton Art Glass is often featured on QVC. Many of the shows include and interview with a family member.

Collector Clubs

Fenton Art Glass successfully crosses the lines between giftware, decorative accessories, and collectibles. Avid collectors often belong to one of the independent Fenton collector clubs. Each club has a newsletter and an annual convention for its members. Joining one or more of these clubs is a great way to learn more about Fenton Art Glass. Here are details about the most popular clubs:

Fenton Art Glass Collectors of America

The Fenton Art Glass Collectors of America was founded in 1977 as a non-profit organization. Today, more than 20 local chapters and thousands of collectors belong to this organization. Members enjoy an annual convention usually in the first weekend in August. This week-long gala includes a private guided tour of the Fenton factory, special sales, and a lot of friendship. The Butterfly Net is mailed six times a year. Members can also purchase club-exclusive pieces.

The Fenton Art Glass Collectors of America, P.O. Box 384, Williamstown, WV 26187, http://fagcainc.wirefire.com, fagcainc@wirefire.com.

The National Fenton Glass Society

The National Fenton Glass Society was formed in 1990 and issued a charter by the state of Ohio in 1991. Its purpose is to promote and study the understanding of handmade glass. Members enjoy a three-day weekend convention held in late July or early August each year.

Premier members receive the cobalt mouse with membership. The NFGS newsletter, The Fenton Flyer, is published and mailed to full members six times per year and contains organization news, educational articles, and other items of interest. Exclusive items are made to celebrate conventions and membership.

National Fenton Glass Society, P.O. Box 4008, Marietta, OH 45750, nfgs@fentonglasssociety.org.

Pacific Northwest Fenton Association

This association was formed for the primary purpose of educating collectors and the public about Fenton Art Glass through seminars, conventions, meetings, and a quarterly newsletter. The quarterly newsletter, "Norwester", contains educational articles, upcoming events, and other items of interest. Each year, Fenton makes one piece of glass for PNWFA subscribers. This piece is made in a color or decoration that is not in the regular Fenton line or mould shape. Pacific Northwest Fenton Association, c/o Jackie Shirley, 8225 Kilchis River Road, Tillamook, OR 97141.

References

The Fenton Art Glass Company offers an interesting history and glassmaking story for all collectors. If you want to learn more about its history or if you have a particular piece to identify, the following books are great places to start your research.

Fenton Art Glass, Vol. I, 1907-1939; Vol. II, 1939-1980

By Margaret and Kenn Whitmyer.

(Collector Books www.collectorbooks.com)

Fenton Glass Compendium: 1940-1970; 1970-1985

By John Walk (Schiffer Books www.shifferbooks.com)

Fenton Glass: First 25 - Years (1905-1930);

Second 25 - Years (1931-1955);

Third 25 - Years (1956-1980);

By William Heacock, w/mini price guide (The Glass Press)

Fenton Glass: The 1980s Decade (1980-1990);

Fenton Glass: The 1990s Decade (1990-2000)

By James Measell, w/mini price guide (The Glass Press)

Fenton Glass: Especially for QVC

By James Measell. (Fenton Art Glass Co., 2002)

[Illustration]

PHOTO Company founder Frank L. Fenton (1880-1948) started the firm in 1905. PHOTO Members of the third and fourth generation now occupy key management positions (standing, left to right): Randy Fenton, Treasurer, Fenton Gift Shop; Tom Fenton, Vice-President-Manufacturing; Shelley Fenton Ash, Graphics Manager and QVC Product Coordinator; Mike Fenton, Safety Director and Purchasing Manager; Christine Fenton; Data Processor, Fenton Gift Shop; Scott Fenton, Assistant National Sales Manager; and Don Fenton, Vice-President-Sales; (seated, left to right) Lynn Fenton Erb, Supervisor-Decorating Services; Nancy Fenton, Director of Design; and George Fenton, President. PHOTO This postcard (ca. fall 1906) is the earliest known photo of the Fenton plant. PHOTO As this ad playfully indicates, Milk Glass Hobnail was Fenton's most popular pattern in the 1960s. PHOTO Skilled glassworker Dave Vincent, who has worked at Fenton since 1964, attaches the handle to a basket. Like many other Fenton glassworkers, Dave learned his trade at Fenton. PHOTO The Fenton Art Glass factory occupies 11.2 acres in Williamstown, West Virginia, just across the Ohio River from historic Marietta, Ohio. PHOTO Decorating designer Stacy Williams hand paints her Lily Trail motif on Topaz Opalescent glass. PHOTO For the first time in its 97-year history, Fenton Art Glass created new products especially for Halloween. From the top, Gaspar the Ghost, # 5278 H1 (5 1/2") $35 US; Grenelda Witch, # 5284 H6 (6 1/2") $39.50 US; and Scaredy Cat, # 5291 HN ( 4 1/2") $25 US. PHOTO Fenton has made fairy lights since the early 1950s, and Jingles the Snowman is the latest creation. # 5940 V4 "Jingles" Fairy Light, (7 1/2") $65. PHOTO These two pieces are available during 2002 for subscribers to the quarterly Fenton Glass Messenger newsletter (for information, call 800-249-4527).