A vintage painting of a portrait in cubism style was found recently in a home in Parkersburg. The painting was signed by K.T. Burnside who once lived at 922 Juliana St. in Parkersburg. When the painting was found it held a $50 price tag, as the original selling price.
Researching, I found that this same painting measuring 29 1/2 x 23 1/2, with minor paint loss, was once submitted to the 23rd annual exhibition of the Allied Artists of W.Va. in 1958. This painting sold on eBay on July 9, 2012 for $199.99.
If anyone might know the whereabouts or other information on K.T. Burnside, please contact me. I'm interested in knowing what other artwork she did. I have cataloged several local artists from Washington and Wood counties over the years.
Glass hunters
Thousands come to Washington County every year in hopes of finding Royal Glass. Royal Glass Co. began operations in Marietta in 1898. The company mysteriously burned to the ground on Thanksgiving night in 1903. A local group from Washington County who started the plant with an experienced glassmaker gained the confidence of the supporters. They sold lots to finance the building of the plant in the area between Pike and Wayne streets. Today, it's hard to find this glass in green or chocolate. You can find it in boxes at local auctions.
Sometimes, it gets mixed up with Greentown glass which brings bigger dollars. The factory was located where Community Action Bus Lines is today. The company produced beautiful sugar bowls, butter dishes, caster sets, and cake stands, including other tableware, producing primarily chocolate glass. Also green glass, amber and crystal.
As I said, the chocolate glass is sometimes mistaken as Greentown Indiana Glass. That same year the Royal Glass Factory burned down on Thanksgiving Day in Marietta. Several others caught fire under the same circumstances, all in the middle of the night when noone was working, and all heavily insured.
Update: In June 2012, a chocolate glass tumbler made by the Royal Glass Company, sold on eBay for one bid of $40.
Larry Koon is the author of several price guide books on antiques and collectibles. His column appears every Monday on Life. Send letters to Treasure in the Attic, c/o The Marietta Times, 700 Channel Lane, Marietta 45750; or e-mail him at koonantiques@yahoo.com. When writing, send a complete description of the item, along with size, color, any markings on the item along with condition the item is in, and how the item was obtained, and any other information. If possible, send a photograph. Letters will be answered through this column.
