For information on Blenko pontil marks: http://blenkocollectors.com/isitblenkopages/blenkocollisitblenkopontils.htm

Blenko History: Blenko Glass Company was founded in 1893 by William J. Blenko in Kokomo, Indiana. He was born in 1853 in London's East End, on 36 Wharf Road. He worked in London glass houses as early as 13 years and eagerly learned about glass formulation. In 1893 he came to America with the intention of starting the first glasshouse that could supply mouth blown (Antique) sheet glass for stained glass windows.

At this time, all antique glass was produced in Europe (France, England, Germany), which is still the case today. He arrived in Kokomo, Indiana and set up a small shop. In time, he hired and trained other glass workers. It was here that he became friends with Eugene Debs, founder of the American Railway Union, forerunner of the American Socialist Party. This friendship continued until Debs' death in 1924 and beyond, when William Blenko directed that his ashes be spread on Debs grave in 1933. William remained in Kokomo until 1903, when economics in America forced the factory to close. He also became aware of the prejudice against American-made glass. Since the studios were owned by former Europeans, they had a natural bias in favor of European glass. William Blenko faced this prejudice until he died. Later, in 1909 he again started a factory in Point Marion, Pennsylvania, and later Clarksburg, WV, both of these ventures failed. A letter indicates he was working in Bellaire, Ohio in 1919 at an unknown glass factory for $40.00 a week. He was offered a job at Tiffany's in New York for $50.00 a week and he apparently took this job. Finally in 1921, he decided to move to Milton, WV, because of the natural gas price; he was now 67 years old, an age when most people retire. Working by himself, he blew the glass cylinders, flattened them into sheets and then went on the road in his Model T car to sell them.

The original name of the company was Eureka Glass Company. It was called this because William J. Blenko spent years trying to find a ruby red sheet glass that would not change colors when painted and fired. When he developed this color, he threw his arms in the air, and said "Eureka, I've found it!" Hence, the name Eureka. In 1923, his 26-year-old son William H. Blenko Sr., with wife Marion and two-year-old son William Jr. joined him in Milton. This is when the factory really took off.

The company has been passed down from generation to generation and is now run by Richard Deakin Blenko, son of William Jr. who joined the business in 1976, becoming the fourth generation to work in the family business. In 1989, he published the book "Blenko Glass 1930-1953, and founded the Blenko Glass Museum. 

Condition: Very good condition, no cracks or chips, bubbles in glass and one spot inside bottom, looks like a pen dot. 

Approximate measurements: 2 1/4" H, 3 1/2" W .  

This is a truly handsome and unique vintage item