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Author examines
popularity of Fenton Glass in series of books
July 29, 2005
By KEVIN PIERSON
The
Marietta Times, Marietta, OH
Fenton glass products are some of the most popular items with
collectors of antique glass because of the individuality of each
piece and the stability of the Fenton company ,said John Walk, of
Mulberry Grove, Ill., author of nine books on Fenton glassware.
Walk says that Fenton has become so popular with glassware
collectors across the country because the company continues to
produce good quality glass at a reasonable price and remains a
part of the community where residents can go watch their glass, as
it’s made.
“One thing is its still a living, breathing company,” Walk said.
“And it’s probably the most affordable glass that is of a good
quality.”
Walk offered a book signing session at Tin Rabbit Antiques
Thursday afternoon as part of the centennial anniversary of Fenton
Art Glass this weekend. Many glass collectors are in the area this
weekend for the anniversary and the Antique Flea Market and Glass
show at the Washington County Fairgrounds.
Walk’s books offer photo illustrations of Fenton products as well
as price guides to help consumers find good deals.
After spending 25 years as an antique dealer Walk was first
introduced to Fenton by a longtime friend who showed him one piece
of the glassware, prompting Walk to begin researching Fenton.
Walk’s research led him to release his first book in 1998.
“After a little while I got to the point where I was doing more
research than selling so I decided to compile it into a book,”
Walk said.
When he compiled the first book,
‘The Book of Fenton Glass: 1940-1970,” Walk hoped to have a
photograph of every piece of Fenton glassware ever made as well as
a price that customers could find the piece for.
After five editions Walk says he still has not met this goal so he
keeps producing more books with revisions and updated information
with the most recent release being “Fenton A-Z.”
Walk admires the stability of the Fenton Company as well as the
variety in the glassware, so, in addition to his research he is
also a collector of the glassware and proudly owns a collection of
more than 1,500 pieces of Fenton.
“I always find it a little more appealing because of the variety
of the shapes,” Walk said.
Walk’s book signing drew several dozen residents and Fenton
collectors to the Tin Rabbit, including Janice Miller, 60, of 106
Marshall Drive, Marietta.
Miller owns all nine of Walk’s books and says that she collects
Fenton because it is always in style and enjoyable to collect.
Miller has traveled as far as Cincinnati and Canton looking for
rare Fenton glassware.
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