Do you collect superhero, cartoon, or comic character memorabilia? How
about sports memorabilia? If so you should check out the website of a club
whose members collect items related to all of the above, the Promotional Glass
Collectors Association (PCGA). “Promotional glasses cover an amazingly
wide range of subject matter and have been around since at least the 1930’s, and
that’s part of what makes it interesting and challenging”, according to
club president, Fred Stepanian. “Although the majority of our membership
probably primarily collects character glasses, many others focus on a particular
soft drink, a specific character, or a favorite sports team. Of course, since
the glasses are generally a promotional item, there is often a great deal of
crossover, with character and sports glasses often sponsored by soft-drinks or
fast-food chains.”

Founded in 1993, the PGCA now has over 400
members. The club’s mission is to both foster the hobby’s growth and to
facilitate contact between glass collectors in order to exchange and preserve
information regarding promotional glassware. Stepanian explained, “One of
our pet projects has been the creation of a database documenting as much
promotional glassware as possible. As of this past month, the database has over
10,000 entries, many with multiple pictures of listed glasses. The database not
only covers glassware from the U.S. and Canada, but from other nations as well.
Of course, it’s searchable, so even the non-glass collector of any one
character, sports team, or fast-food chain could periodically check in to see
what’s been added recently. There’s sure to be an item or two many collectors
didn’t know existed, such are rare DC Comics in-house giveaways, Hanna-Barbera
executive glasses, prototypes, etc. Give it a try-you never know what you’ll
find.”

The PGCA also holds meetings throughout the year, most
notably its annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio, in the heart of America’s glass
industry. The meetings are open to members and non-members alike. “Of
course, we’d like as many glass collectors as possible to join, but we gladly
welcome even casual collectors to come to our meetings,” said Stepanian.
“ It’s always great to meet new collectors, and newcomers are generally
blown away by seeing room after room of not only common but also rare glasses
they never even knew existed”. This year’s annual meeting will be held in
Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, May 21. It will be held the same weekend as the
Springfield Extravaganza Flea Market, which has proven to be a great hunting
ground for character memorabilia.

For more information, visit http://www.pgcaglassclub.com/index.htm.