33rd annual Westmoreland Glass Show aims to entice collectors

As happens with collectors of every sort, what began as a passing interest blossomed into a 25-year quest for Kenneth and Jackie Kosoglow of Claridge.

Avid fans of Westmoreland Glass, the Kosoglows started their collection with simple pieces of the decorative and utilitarian household glass, made in Grapeville between 1889 and 1984.

Hundreds of pieces can be found in almost every room in their home, including the bathroom.

“We started out with the white milk glass with roses and bows, and we got just about every piece they made,” Jackie said.

Often identified by a stamped WG on the bottom of a piece, the company also made carnival, ruby and panel grape glass, as well as animal designs and figurines.

In 1989 — five years after the plant closed its doors — the National Westmoreland Glass Collectors Club formed with the goal of preserving the history of the glass, and collectors like Kenneth and Jackie began building their inventories.

Kenneth and Jackie are not the only Westmoreland Glass fanatics. The club has members from across the country — including Connecticut, Oklahoma and Illinois — and even Canada.

One of the club’s annual events is the Westmoreland Glass Show, planned for this weekend. The event allows collectors to showcase and sell pieces. Jackie said some people come to browse the glass and ask questions, while others walk away with a purchase.

Prices range from as little as $10 to as much as $800. Jackie said it is rare for pieces to sell on the higher end of the scale, but she has seen it happen.

The rarity, craftsmanship and age of a piece all factor into its worth. The maker of a piece also has an impact. Jackie said pieces made by those such as Joseph Racinger — whose works date to the 1920s and 1930s — tend to sell for a higher price.

“To find those pieces on the market today are few and far between, but you never know,” Kenneth said.

Kenneth laments that pieces today are not selling for what he considers to be their true worth. Most glass collectors are now up in age, and the “next generation” is not as interested in the glass, he said.

“At one time, we thought you could buy this stuff and put it away and by now it would be worth triple what you paid for it, but it actually went the other way,” Kenneth said. “Now, if you want a plate, you go to Walmart and that’s fine. And if it breaks, you go buy another one for $5 or $6.”

Although Westmoreland Glass is not selling for the price it did 20 years ago, Kenneth said some pieces have become more desirable.

There used to be four original Westmoreland Glass painters in Western Pennsylvania who continued hand-painting pieces, sometimes for the club’s annual showcase. Because the four painters have died in recent years, their work is becoming scarce.

Kenneth hopes the public comes out to see the work of those artists at the show this year.

“Those artists were really talented to do that,” he said. “Today, there’s nobody to do that. You’d have to pay thousands of dollars.”

Attendees can expect to see a wide variety of Westmoreland Glass, including works dating to the early 1900s, but Jackie said there is no way to predict what will turn up.

“We never know what to expect,” she said. “Somebody pops up with a piece that you (have never seen) before.”

The 33rd annual Westmoreland Glass Show will be from 1 to 4 p.m. June 10 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 11 at the Westmoreland County Community College Student Activities Center, 145 Pavilion Lane, near Youngwood.

Admission and parking are free.