President of Fenton Art Glass Co. to be at Whitehall Country Store today

The Topeka Capital-Journal, Topeka, KS

Owner Al Eliot is expecting a crowd at the Whitehall Country Store today. George Fenton, president of Fenton Art Glass Co., will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the store, 3410 S.W. 10th, meeting customers and signing pieces of the art glass.

Eliot, who owns Whitehall Country Store along with his wife, Dorothy, said more than 8,500 people came through the doors when Fenton, grandson of company founder Frank Fenton, made a similar visit in 1995.

"It's always an honor," Eliot said. "It's very rare to get the Fentons."

Between 1995 and 2001, Whitehall Country Store had the highest sales volume among Fenton dealers worldwide before being topped by a dealer in New York. Today, Eliot said, his business remains among the top five dealers. Fenton no longer shares exact rankings.

Each piece is handmade in the United States by the 98-year-old, West Virginia-based company. The Eliots have collected Fenton glass since the 1960s and have been a dealer at their store for just more than a decade.

In its collectible, or limited edition lines, Eliot said, an average Fenton piece sells for $75 to $250. Other lines, in which more pieces are produced, include items averaging around $20 to $40.

Eliot said members of the Fenton Art Glass Collectors Club also will be at Whitehall Country Store today, helping customers identify and value their Fenton glass.



The 7-inch Rosemilk basket will sell for $49.50 at today's signing. Eliot said a signature from a Fenton family member increases the value of the glass collectibles as much as 20 percent.