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Fenton
Factory Seconds Are
you aware that Fenton Art Glass second quality pieces are available and being
sold in all our favorite marketplaces? Have you purchased a piece you are not
sure about? Fenton began sandblasting a "star" on the bottom of all second quality
pieces in the late 1990's. In 1998, they began using a sandblasted "F". They
also sandblast the signatures and limited edition numbers off the bottom of
any limited or signature pieces that are rejected for quality reasons. So beware
of shiny pieces with the bottoms sandblasted, or "satinized".
Why
is this important to us? Because many of us collect Fenton for it's investment
value. We purchase a nice piece, enjoy it for many years, and hope it will increase
in value. The Signature Pieces and Limited Edition pieces will do just that
for us. The "seconds" really are not limited pieces, now are they?
I
am not saying that you should never buy a second quality piece. I am saying
you should be aware of what you are purchasing, so you can make an informed
decision. It is fairly easy to remove, disguise, or simply not mention the sandblasted
"F" for an unscrupulous dealer. I have seen many seconds sell on the internet
auction sites, as well as many Antique Malls and shops. No mention of the "F".
I have seen dealers say that the "star" meant that it was a "special" piece!
My best advice is: know your dealer, and be armed with the knowledge of an informed
collector. Below are photo's of the "Star" and the "F". The piece on the left
is the "F" on a gold cat, and the piece on the right is a Limited Edition numbered
Plum Carnival clown figurine, with the numbers and signatures sandblasted off
and the "star" applied.
Editors Note: Another mark Ann didn't mention in her original article is the script "S" mark that looks like a dancing flame. Some people have thought that the mark meant "sample" when in actuality, it means a second.
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