Signatures, Historic Period |
Signatures are of very limited use in identifying Blenko; in the Historical Period they were only used for the latter portion of 1958 through to the early part of 1961 and briefly in 1964 for only a few special designs.
Blenko designs in this time were also copied by some Italian factories (see Fakes & Similar); forged Blenko signatures have turned up on some of these items so be aware that a signature alone is no longer a guarantee of authenticity. |
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click on images to enlarge |
| Engraved Signature, late 1958 |
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The text "Blenko ©" in script, etched by hand using an engraving tool. This signature was used briefly in the latter part of 1958 and quickly replaced with the sand-blasted signature below both because this was too time consuming and due to breakage.
Unrealistic rumors persist that the company's then Vice President, William Blenko Jr., was exclusively responsible for engraving this signature and personally sat in the factory and signed hundreds, if not thousands of these items. Aside from seeing significant variations in the signature we believe the story to be flatly unbelievable and without evidence. The source of this rumor likely comes from confusing this signature with the hand-engraved signing the Blenkos would do at department stores for publicity.
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| Sand-Blasted Logo, 1958 to 1961 |
The word "Blenko" with the hand profile underneath and to the right and the copyright symbol " ©" above and centered. Designed by Wayne Husted, this signature was not done with acid as is often mistakenly said but by sand-blasting through a metal template. In use from late 1958 to early 1961. This signature can be very difficult to see particularly when applied near the pontil and/or done lightly. |
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| Hand Engraved 1964 Signature |
In 1964, two special non-catalog designs (the "Gumps" decanter and the graduated color 6427) were signed with a block letter signature "BLENKO JOEL PHILIP MYERS" the appearance of the signature varies and is sometimes found in script. Also done by hand using an engraving tool. |
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| Labels |
Labels are unreliable identifiers not only because they can easily be peeled off, but also because rolls of unused labels are known to be available. It is not unheard of to find Blenko labels on non-Blenko items. |
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| Paper Factory Label, C. 1930 onwards |
| White paper square with cropped corners, black text "BLENKO Milton W Va" at top, typed or hand written design number in middle, "$" sign and typed or hand written price on bottom. In continuous use since 1930's. |
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| Silver Foil Hand Profile Label, C. 1930 to C. 1982 |
A paper label in the shape of a hand, with a silver foil front and embossed black ink outlines and text "BLENKO HANDCRAFT". Circa 1930's to circa 1982 (substituted during WWII, see below). |
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| Paper Hand Profile Label, C. WWII |
A white paper label in the shape of a hand with black ink outlines and text "BLENKO HANDCRAFT". Used during WWII as a substitute for the standard silver foil label. |
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| Blenko Specialty Line Label, C. 1960 |
A rounded white paper square with a red outline drawing of a stylized glass blower with "BLENKO" in black text on the body. This was designed for use with the 1960/61 Specialty Lines Raindrop,Regal, and Rialto but can occasionally be found on other items that were in production circa 1960.
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| Blenko Loves Blenko, C. 1960 |
Square white paper label with perforated edges, made in conjunction with an advertising campaign circa late 1950's. |
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Late Period Labels: Post 1974 |
(in addition to the square paper factory label above that was in continuous use) |
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| B, 1982 to C. 2000 |
A clear plastic square with rounded corners and large central "B" with red dot and "BLENKO HANDCRAFT", introduced 1982 in use until circa 2000. |
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| Oval Hand, 2000 onwards |
A clear plastic oval with central grey hand profile with text "BLENKO HANDCRAFT Made in the USA", introduced 2000 . |
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