A Brief History of Fenton Glass

The Fenton Art Glass company was formed innow considered to be great collectors items.
1905 by two brothers, Frank L and John WLater, due to a change in the world market,
Fenton, who took over an old glassworks factoryFenton began selling more domestic items,
in the town of Martin's Ferry in the state of Ohioincluding Fenton Hobnail glass works, such as
with a view to creating the finest Art Glass in theperfume bottles, and moved on to using the
US. To do this they initially created designs onhobnail pattern in their Fenton Hobnail Milk Glass
blank pieces of glass from rival glass makers,items, a hugely popular item that catapulted
being unable to make their own at the time.Fenton into the big leagues, and ensured a
Eventually they were able to start producing theircontinued revenue for the company.
own, being unable to purchase the glass theyMove forward some decades, and changes in
needed elsewhere. The Fenton Glass companymanagement also brought about changes in the
then moved to Williamstown, just across the OhioFenton Art Glass company fortunes and work
river into Virginia. Here they built a brand newpractices. On top of great expansion in a time
Fenton Glass factory and began producing theirwhen other glass factories were closing their
own glass again here in 1908.doors, Fenton introduced it's dating system in
Of the two brothers, the designer and decoratorrecognition of the collectibility of many of their
was Frank L, while John W took care of theitems.
business side of things. Much is said of the intialIn recent times, the Fenton Glass co went
designs the brothers came up with for theirthrough an era of instability, with threats of
Fenton Glass pieces, particularly that theirclosure being cited during 2007. Clearly, Fenton
influences took in such luminaries as Tiffany and ahadn't counted on the support and love for their
lesser known company, Steuben. Their unique andglass works, and a buying frenzy and renaissance
beautiful colours are thanks to an amazing glassin Fenton Art Glass has seen the company go
chemist called Jacob Rosenthal, who is creditedfrom strength to strength yet again.
with the creation of chocolate and golden agateIn 2009 the current President of Fenton, George
types of glass.Fenton, issued a statement to the effect that
Creations & Changesthere would be no closure of Fenton Glass Co in
The Fenton Brothers are now credited with thethe foreseeable future. 105 years of family
creation of their most popular works, the Fentonbusiness, owned and run by Fentons, and still
Carnival Glass. Fenton Carnival glass pieces aregoing strong!