Auction shows off Millersburg's glass-making heritage
There was more to see than just the staggering prices brought at the Holmes County Antique Festival’s Millersburg Glass Auction Saturday, Oct. 6.
Universally heralded as the “King of carnival glass,” Millersburg is prized by collectors for its rarity and beauty. It was produced for only a few years in the early 20th century by John Fenton, of the same family who gave their name to Fentons glass, in a plant that still stands on Millersburg’s north end.
Antique Festival Chair Georgie Cool said the glass is a part of Millersburg’s heritage that many do not know about.
“There’s those that are interested in the antiques and collectibles, they are aware,” Cool said. “There are those that do not. Wherever we were at promoting the festival, I always encouraged people to stop at the auction, even if you’re not going to bid, just to see what was produced here.”
The glass is impressive and was well represented in a 335 lot auction held on the courthouse lawn. The auction featured radium glass, noted for its iridescence or ‘irid,’ as well as Millersburg’s lines of crystal glass.
The highlight of the sale was a rare, radium green vase that sold for $50,000. Originally a rosebowl, a factory worker ‘whimsied’ the vase by stretching out the bowl and flaring the rim.
The whimsy was followed by a green rosebowl that went for $32,000 and another whimsied vase that sold for $14,500. Similar to the whimsy that sold for $50,000, its value was perhaps hindered by a small chip.
The auction was conducted by Jim Wroda, of Jim Wroda Auction services.
Millersburg-only glass auctions have been held on and off during the festival over the last several years. Millersburg Glass Association President Randy Jones announced that the association will begin holding small, 125 lot auctions annually in Holmes County, with a large, 300-plus lot sale on the courthouse lawn every three years.
Local Millersburg collector Steve Maag served as an auctioneer’s assistant for the sale. Maag, who has collected for years, said he learns something new about Millersburg Glass with every auction.
“You’re always learning, this is the best way to learn - hands on,” Maag said. “You can look in a book, but this is hands on.”