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THE DAILY COURIER

Mount Pleasant, PA
Thursday, September 23, 1999

What's It Worth?
Glass appraiser making return appearance at festival

GRETCHEN M. KLINE
Courier Staff Writer

At one time, the glass making industry was the largest employer in the tri-state region.

The heritage of Mount Pleasant Borough is steeped in the tradition of fine crystal and glass crafted at factories located within the borough.

For persons who have acquired glass, crystal and china treasures, whether they came from Grandmother or were found at a flea market, their history and worth can be determined Sept. 25.

Edie Putanko, a Pittsburgh-based appraiser, is making her second appearance at the Mount Pleasant Glass and Ethnic Festival and visitors can have their collectibles appraised.

According to Helen Williams, coordinator of this event for the festival committee, Putanko will appear Sept. 25 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Washington Street stage. Three pieces can be appraised for a $5 fee.

Pre-registration will be taken from 12:30 to 1p.m. at the stage.

Putanko's appearance is sponsored by the Eberly Foundation.

"There are a lot of collectors out there," said Putanko when contacted by phone recently. She herself is a collector of Depression-era glassware and said that her collection is "five china closets full and it doesn't all fit."

She specializes in glassware appraisals and has requested that visitors bring only glassware, china and pottery and refrain from bringing primitives and furniture.

She is the proprietor of Edie's Glassware in Bethel Park and was the president of Three Rivers Depression Glass Society from 1994 to 1996. Putanko also does appraisals for the John Heinz Regional History Center and is a dealer and national appraiser at national shows of Depression glass. She can be seen on KDKA's Saturday morning news segment, "What's It Worth?"

Putanko has been appraising since 1977 and can look at an item, telling the owner "What it is, who made it and what it is worth."

"People brought things in, realizing that they had something good," she commented about "They didn't realize how good."

Williams said last year's appraisal session with Putanko and another appraiser was well received. "The popularity of antiques shows has really piqued an interest."

Added Jeff Landy, chairperson of the festival planning committee, "A lot of people asked if we were bringing her back. We hope she is a part of the festival for years to come."