Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 2		Other Newsletters
November, 2002

NEEDLES IN THE HAYSTACK

BY MARY C. JACHIM

I have just gotten off the phone after a very lengthy conversation with John Walk, concerning his upcoming book for one thing. I’m sure you all know that John is the foremost author and authority on Fenton glass. His current book is already in the hands of the publishers. It is dedicated to documenting only the Exclusives produced by Fenton for various private accounts and will indeed familiarize collectors with the rarest and most limited editions every produced. It should be available about mid-summer. I envision an immediate sellout, with sales which should easily exceed tripling all previous publications. Indeed, my pre-order for at least 6 books is already placed.

Needless to say, we also discussed our own personal viewpoints as we see Fenton through the eyes of dealers, collectors, and yes, investors too. I am not the least bit reluctant to admit that Stan and I are both collectors and investors. We love to ‘eat our cake and have it too’ by purchasing at least two of everything we select. In short, John has exhausted many areas where Fenton glass is now so scarce that hunting for it is a waste of time to find, and the prices are prohibitive to acquire. That is the scenario surrounding mass produced items, as compared to extremely limited edition productions.

Considering the present status of the stock market, the bewildered so-called financial advisors, investors wondering and pondering how to cope with their disastrous losses and where to go next, . . . I don’t have this problem. Never Did! Ever since I dedicated my life’s work to glass, I ignored the premature ridicule and endless down-talk concerning contemporary glass and never once wavered or lost faith in its inevitable future heritage and appreciation. Getting Fenton and other companies to produce exclusives for me is proof now that I have very successfully stood on solid ground. My Imperial customers, especially, now reap from 500% to as much as 1000% returns.

Much is also owed to Gary LeVay for his visions in the early 70’s and to the late Dorothy Taylor whose ‘Encore’ publications encouraged the appreciation of new carnival while many, . . who were knocking it lip-wise, . . were quietly stashing it away.

So much for my introduction to “Needles in the Haystack”, as I leave the exclusives to stand on their own rightful laurels as very precious needles in the haystack.

It is already too late to find Fenton glass produced as an exclusive item, limited to as low as a 4-hour run. Also, it is impossible to find it at the original issue prices. As a great example, when LeVay’s ‘Violets on Burmese’ pieces were offered in the near $30.00 range, . . and when my ‘Love Bouquet’ Burmese pieces were offered at $32.50, the sales were very slow to say the least. Now, with availabilities at or near extinction, perseverant collectors are thrilled to find those pieces without price complaints. What the picture will look like when John’s book hits the marketplace, is crystal-clear and needs no elaborating or predicting.

What is exciting now are the recently produced exclusives, may of which will squeeze in under the deadline for inclusion in John’s book. Alert and non- procrastinating collectors will indeed fare well in acquiring Joyce’s Collectibles “ Circle of Love” and the “Forget-Me-Not” exclusives. Indeed, each is a ‘needle in the haystack’.