Fenton

Fenton Burmese Glass

Visiting the little variety store in Troy back in 1970, I saw a piece of the most beautiful and unique glass I had ever encountered. The glass was a light yellow custard gradually turning ito a beautiful shade of rose near the top or upper edge. I learned it was called Burmese and was made by the Fenton Glass Company of Williamstown, West Virginia. It was definitely love at first sight! I came home with a small rose bowl that cost a whopping $15. That was a lot of money for someone whose take home pay was only $350 a month. As I found a little extra money in my budget, I gradually added pieces.

This is one of my newer acquisitions, a 1999 Burmese lamp called "Memories." It is a limited edition of 950 and is even lovelier in person.

Collecting Burmese has allowed me to do lots of things I might never have done. I can walk into antique malls, flea markets, glass shops, and all kinds of stores with a goal for shopping. Because Burmese is not in abundant supply, I rarely find any. It is relaxing, however, to go shopping and NOT find anything! I have explored Internet looking for Burmese. Sometimes I think enjoy the chase more than the capture!

Other facets in collecting are meeting other hobbyists, visiting the factory, attending signings, and going to the conventions. My local club is the Fenton Finders of Greater Topeka. I have yet to make it to a convention, but the other three aspects are truly enjoyable. To the right are pictures of Don Fenton and me at a 1999 signing at the Whitehall Country Store here in Topeka. I truly enjoy the friends I have met because of collecting. You know who you are!

In June, 1999, I attended the International Collectibles Exposition - Rosemont, and there I met more of the Fenton Family. I also bought a Burmese basket in the raspberry pattern, but unfortunately I fell outside the Kansas City airport terminal and smashed the basket to tiny shards. In June, 2000, I again attended ICE - Rosemont, but was smart enough not to buy anything to tote back to Kansas. I did get my picture taken with Scott this time as we discussed the 2000 Connoisseur Burmese Diamond Optic Poppy vase. You can see just a bit of all the lovely glass on display in the background.

As a parting thought, enjoy the bottom picture of part of my collection. In April, 2000, I presented a program on Burmese glass to my local club, the Fenton Finders of Greater Topeka. One of our members took this picture with a panoramic camera. Thanks, Janet! (You can see other great pictures of various club members and their collections at our club site.)

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Visiting the little variety store in Troy back in 1970, I saw a piece of the most beautiful and unique glass I had ever encountered. The glass was a light yellow custard gradually turning ito a beautiful shade of rose near the top or upper edge. I learned it was called Burmese and was made by the Fenton Glass Company of Williamstown, West Virginia. It was definitely love at first sight! I came home with a small rose bowl that cost a whopping $15. That was a lot of money for someone whose take home pay was only $350 a month. As I found a little extra money in my budget, I gradually added pieces.
		This is one of my newer acquisitions, a 1999 Burmese lamp called "Memories." It is a limited edition of 950 and is even lovelier in person.
	Collecting Burmese has allowed me to do lots of things I might never have done. I can walk into antique malls, flea markets, glass shops, and all kinds of stores with a goal for shopping. Because Burmese is not in abundant supply, I rarely find any. It is relaxing, however, to go shopping and NOT find anything! I have explored Internet looking for Burmese. Sometimes I think enjoy the chase more than the capture!
Other facets in collecting are meeting other hobbyists, visiting the factory, attending signings, and going to the conventions. My local club is the Fenton Finders of Greater Topeka. I have yet to make it to a convention, but the other three aspects are truly enjoyable. To the right are pictures of Don Fenton and me at a 1999 signing at the Whitehall Country Store here in Topeka. I truly enjoy the friends I have met because of collecting. You know who you are!