Fenton Art Glass Company

Infobox_Company
company_name = Fenton Art Glass Company
company_
company_type = Private company
foundation = Martins Ferry, Ohio (1905)
location = Williamstown, West Virginia, USA
key_people =
industry =
products =
revenue =
num_employees = 120
homepage = http://www.fentonartglass.comThe Fenton Art Glass Company was founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. Fenton and John W. Fenton in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Originally, they painted glass blanks from other glass makers, but started making their own glass when they were unable to buy the glass they needed. They moved across the Ohio river to Williamstown, West Virginia and built a factory in 1906. The first year for glass production was 1907. [cite web | url=http://www.glass.co.nz/Fenton.htm | title=Fenton Art Glass
publisher= Glass Museum
name=Glass Museum] .

Frank Fenton was the designer and decorator. Between 1905 to 1920, the designs made there were heavily influenced by two other glass companies, Tiffany and Steuben. But the many different colors were the work of Jacob Rosenthal, a famous glass chemist who is known for developing chocolate and golden agate glass. [cite web | url=http://www.fentonartglass.com/news/fenton_wonderful6-06.htm
title=A Dazzling History:Fenton Art Glass
publisher= Fenton art glass
author=PHIL BERRY
name=A Dazzling History:Fenton Art Glass] Towards the end of 1907, the Fenton brothers were the first to introduce carnival glass, which would later become a popular collector's item. [cite web | url=http://antiques.about.com/od/carnivalglass/a/aa071205.htm
title=Carnival Glass Still Popular with Collectors
publisher= about.com
author=Pamela Wiggins
name=Carnival Glass Popular] .

During the Great Depression and World War II, Fenton produced practical items (such as mixing bowls and tableware) due to shortages. At the same time, they continued creating new colors. Towards the end of the Great Depression they also produced perfume bottles for the Wrisley Company in 1938. The bottles were made in French Opalescent glass with the hobnail pattern. [cite web | url=http://www.fentonfan.com/Articles/Wrisley/Wrisley_1.htm
title=The Wrisley Story, The early history of Fenton Hobnail.
publisher=fentonfan.com
author=Michael and Lori Palmer
name=history of hobnail]

In the late 1940's, the top three members of Fenton's management died. Frank Fenton and Wilmer C. "Bill" Fenton immediately stepped in and took over the positions of President and Vice President, respectively. Over the next thirty years, they continued to expand Fenton Art Glass, despite a large number of glass factories closing down.

In 1952 Fenton started selling Hobnail items in milk glass. Hobnail milk glass would become the top selling line and allowed the Fenton company to expand.

In 1986, George W. Fenton, Frank's son, took over as President of the company. [ cite web |url=http://www.fentonartglass.com/history/ |title=Our History |accessdate=2007-12-27 |format=HTML]

Dating Fenton

In 1970 the Fenton company added their logo to the bottom of some pieces to distinguish them from older pieces. From 1974 onward all glassware produced carried this logo. In 1980 an 8 was added under the n in the logo, and in 1990 a 9.

Closure

On August 9, 2007, Fenton Art Glass sent out a press release stating would "cease... operations over the next few months." Their plans involved laying off 25 employees immediately, and in the following weeks, gradually lay off the rest of their workers. [cite news |title=Fenton Art Glass Says It's Closing |url=http://www.wtap.com/home/headlines/9064516.html |format=HTML|accessdate=2007-12-27 |language=English] However, on December 4, 2007, Fenton Art Glass released a press statement, saying that due an unexpected buying frenzy and internal restructuring, the company would stay open until at least the spring of 2008 [cite news |title=Fenton Art Glass Plans To Continue Glass Production |url=http://www.fentonartglass.com/press_release_12_4_2007.htm |format=HTML|accessdate=2007-12-27 |language=English] .

External links

* [http://www.fentonartglass.com/ Fenton Art Glass Company's website]
* [http://www.fentonartglass.com/clubs/#The%20Fenton%20Art%20Glass%20Collectors%20of%20America The Fenton Art Glass Collectors of America]
* [http://www.fentonartglass.com/clubs/#The%20National%20Fenton%20Glass%20Society The National Fenton Glass Society]
* [http://www.fentonartglass.com/clubs/#The%20Pacific%20Northwest%20Fenton%20Association The Pacific Northwest Fenton Association]
* [http://www.fentonfan.com/ Fenton Fanatics Website]

References