Topic: Richard Olma

[BobKegeles]

What can anyone tell me about Richard Olma.

I find pieces (almost all paperweights) dated from the 70's through the 90's, they are simply exquisite, the glass is exceptionally clear, the lampwork is as pristine as any Lotton piece.

I would imagine he retired or passed away before the web became what it is today, but I'm still very surprised to find NOTHING, other than pieces that have been sold, or are available.

 I looked at every listing, (on Google and Bing), not a single one had any bio or history info. That in itself is unusual, generally at least one or two sellers will give some background.

I'm assuming from the designs, that he was American, or I should say produced his pieces in America.

While all the pieces I've found, sold or current for sale, have similar flower motifs, I see one outlier.There is a crystal clear, perfect glass piece, with nothing other than a piece of concrete captured, currently for sale on eBay. It's defined as a Richard Olma "freedom" series. Since it makes no sense to call it Freedom, or for such an accomplished lampwork artisan to have made this without a reason, I'm taking a leap of logic, and thinking the piece of concrete is from the Berlin Wall.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RICHARD-OLMA-GLASS-PAPERWEIGHT-FREEDOM-SERIES-1996-SIGNED/201151526296?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D23490%26meid%3D345537469b3e41229946782fca73622b%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D10073%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D301281620020&rt=nc

Here's the one I own.

[janettekay]

I swear I had something on him. ..just checked all my saved  PW websites (info and pw sellers)..  .nothing..sorry. 

[BobKegeles]

Thanks for looking : )

[Wuff]

The latest signed weight I find in my copies of ebay auctions is from 1997 ... and in one auction in 2007 the seller states "Here is a lovely floral paperweight by the late Richard Olma from the Chicago area."
Not much (and I don't know, how reliable), but could be a starting point for further research.

[Fuhrman Glass]

Richard passed away a couple of years ago. As I recall, he was from Wisconsin and made his floral weights for a long time. I have had several. I had some more info on him but can't seem to find it at the present moment.

[BobKegeles]

Each drop of info is always helpful, Chicago area/Wisconsin are the same, (or close enough).

Passed away makes sense, since no output.

Floral weights for years also makes sense.

It's really funny how often I see multiple pieces from the same artist hit ebay at the same time, from different sellers. When I purchased this one, the next week, another seller had it's twin up. I almost bought te second one, it was at $72 (same as I paid for this one), it didn't get a bid, and is now $125, on a set price listing, (prob won't sell though), plus a pretty salmon version @ $150. Plus 5 others that have sold since May.

My two thoughts are, one, I'm just noticing an artist more, right after I buy something. Similar to right after you buy a new auto, in a pretty color, suddenly there are dozens around you. The other theory is, people see an item sell, and say to themselves, I have one of those, I never knew it was worth that much, think I'll list mine.

Thanks again all.

Bob

[Wuff]

Passed away makes sense, since no output.

Also bacause of

... and in one auction in 2007 the seller states "... the late Richard Olma ..."

[BobKegeles]

Good point, I just thought that meant he was late for dinner.

[glass man]

Richard Olma is from Chicago area of Illinois    DECEASED
records show it was established in 1962

Olma Art Glass Studio
4053 N Ottawa Avenue
Norridge, IL 60706

This is all the info I have on file. I have at least one weight. Not seen vases etc.  search for olma christine art glass studio. I believe it is his wife working in stained glass.

[a_frenay]

I did some research too a couple of years ago. You're right with the stone from the Berlin Wall, he made (or wanted to make) 5000 paperweights with a stone short before he passed away.

That's all I know, unfortunately I can't remember were I did find this information, I'm absorbing lots of information about paperweights every single day.  I've got two paperweights of him myself, the glass is incredible clear.   To my opinion a Richard Olma paperweight is a great access to any collection!