The term "Specialty Line" is often abused in the context of Blenko glass. A specialty line is a very specific thing; it is not enough for a group of designs to merely be thematically similar (ex: Vineyard in 1960 or Americana in 1975).

A Specialty Line is a themed group of designs that are technically "special" or different from Blenko's normal production, and consist of multiple shapes that are aesthetically related.

A Note on Colonial Williamsburg Reproductions: This is not a Specialty Line. As the name implies, these were reproductions and not true Blenko designs, their significance is primarily an economic and marketing one to Blenko. Their historical and design value is limited to a footnote.

In the Historic Period the concept of the Specialty Line proper was created by Wayne Husted, where the 1960 catalog designates them as "three special groups of designs." Husted's exciting new Specialty Lines were an important departure for Blenko and indicate an impulse to innovate and experiment in spite of the risks. The Specialty Lines are a testament to a company in its prime.

Raindrop
Wayne Husted, 1960

23 designs executed in thick clear leaded glass seeded with irregularly sized bubbles. All designs available only in Raindrop, not issued in other colors.

Raindrop s ample image (from Gallery page)

Regal
Wayne Husted, 1960 & 1961

1960: 12 designs executed in Ruby with all handles and stems, as well as most feet, in Crystal. An optic rib effect in most of the bodies.

1961: 5 of the original 1960 designs plus 3 unique new designs and 4 pre-exisiting designs issued with the Regal Line designation in the design number ("RE"); however, it was not identified as "Regal" in the 1961 catalog and these shapes were also executed in colors other than Ruby.

Regal sample image (from Gallery page)

Rialto
Wayne Husted, 1960

15 designs executed with translucent white bodies, often fading from nearly transparent to completely opaque in places. All applied bands, handles, decorative elements and stoppers in Ruby. All shapes unique to the Rialto line except #1-TO which was issued in Regal and regular line colors in 1961 only.

Rialto sample image (from Gallery page)

Charisma
John Nickerson, 1972

10 designs, crystal bodies with internal Ruby garland pattern colorway. All these shapes were also available in the standard line colors.

Charisma sample image (from Gallery page)

In the Late Period, Don Shepherd produced a number of Specialty Lines:

- an untitled series in 1975
- The Designer's Group in 1976
- Blue Top Mountian Glass in 1977 (the altered 1978 version excluded)
- Designer's Studio Series, 1980
- Balloons in 1982 & 1983
- Big Sky in 1982 & 1983
- Rock in 1982
- Snow Drift in 1983
- Contempo in 1986

The increased number of Specialty Lines in the Late Period is noteworthy; these premium lines were intended primarily to re-capture a market segment that had been lost to Studio Glass. Essentially, the Specialty Line became market-driven rather than design-driven. No longer a true innovation, it became a marketing tool for Blenko by superficially emulating Studio Glass, indicative of Blenko's decreased relevance in this period.