Hunting for Barber Eggs

    Through the years eggs have been a fascinating collectible for people of all ages. While hunting for Easter eggs fascinates children, eggs are also seen as a symbol of life in Christianity. Collectible eggs are made of all types of materials from tin to gold and from plastic to art glass. Some collectors are on a never ending egg hunt for the difficult to find Fenton Art Glass Barber Eggs. One may even ask the question, "What came first, the Barber eggs or the high demand to obtain them?"
   In their July, 1976 Catalog Supplement, Fenton offered these treasures in one half dozen (6) different colors at a price of $20.00 each. Now, on today's secondary market, the prices may range from $200.00 to as high as $350.00 or more. Who would have guessed that almost two dozen years later the price would be a dozen times higher than they originally sold for?
   In identifying them it is very apparent if it is a true Fenton Barber egg. The bottoms were always ground and polished smooth. Then the Fenton mark and date of 1976 was acid etched into the bottom.
   The size of these elusive treasures ranges from 4" to 5" tall and about 3" across. Even though there were 6 colors listed in their production line, the color combinations are very unique to each egg. They are a true testimony of no two pieces of handmade glass being the same.
  Some of the designs will have a very definite spiral swirl while others may have a splashed on effect. While mixing the basic glass colors used in their production, the finished product of each egg ended up being a variety of colors. Clear glass was layered on the outside of the egg which adds to their weight of about 1 pound.