Highlights from the Carder Steuben Club annual Symposium held September
15th-17th 2005.
The program began with a new identification clinic concept. The entirety of
those in attendance had a free form discussion about glass pieces members
brought for examination. Not only whether a piece was Steuben or not, but
unusual techniques, colors or shapes. This was particularly successful because
the interaction to pieces was so instructive. This will be a feature of future
Symposiums. Next year‛s Symposium will be the weekend of September 15 & 16,
2006. Put it on your calendars.
Two Carder Exhibits are presently going on. At the flagship Steuben store on
Madison Avenue at 61st St. in New York the Exhibit, “Carder Glass Passion
Invention” runs from Sept. 6 through Feb. 18, 2006. Special wallpaper inspired
by a Gold Aurene theme has even been developed. The other exhibit is at the
Evansville Museum in Evansville, Indiana. This 300 piece exhibit, which began
Labor Day weekend, runs through Nov. 27 and is entitled “Objects of Desire: the
Art of Frederick Carder. “
The Club has had a profitable year. A great deal of constructive dialogue took
place during the business meeting. This included concern about the Alfred
University‛s Paul Gardner Center and its maintenance of its treasure trove of
Gardner papers. To encourage Club membership the Club voted to provide some
financial support for members who are willing to set up a Carder Exhibit at
antique shows. Also it was noted that all Club members have a co-membership in
the Corning Museum (“CMOG”) by virtue of their Carder Steuben Club
membership and this relationship has been continued and funded.
Discussion focused on enhancing liaisons with CMOG, and the broader Carder
community. Financial support to upgrade computer equipment for our web site
was also approved. It was reported that we have over 60,000 hits per year; so
the site continues to have importance. 100 copies of the catalogue of the
Evansville Museum Exhibit was purchased and will be provided to each Carder
Club household. The officers elected for next year are Alan Shovers, President;
Marshall Ketchum, Vice President, Brenda Smith, Secretary Jim Sutterfield,
Treasurer; and Mark Buffa, Webmaster.
An evening of wine and dessert was hosted at Building B of CMOG with the
opening of a new Whimsy exhibit assembled and presented by Tom Dimitroff.
The Rakow library shared a significant number of original documents from their
archives on Carder Steuben glass. Things like color names. 38 colors of Aurene.
Resources available not only at the Museum, but what resources are available
through an interlibrary loan, and therefore easily available to all of us.
Presentations on Cut and Engrave pattern research done by Marshall Ketchum
and the use of architectural glass and where it can be found in buildings
throughout the United States was delivered by Mark Buffa. Just fascinating
things to be learned about the expansiveness of Frederick Carder’s work beyond
his colored glass. Much is happening in the world of Frederick Carder glass.
A tour of the homes and collections of Marshall & Carol Ketchum and Al Bradtke
and David Jacobson can only be described as spectacular. The discoveries of
Frederick Carder never cease to amaze. On Saturday evening the Club toasted
the achievements and brilliance of Mr. Carder followed by one of the Club‛s
strongest and best auctions of Carder glass in recent memory.
Then on Sunday the official birthday of Mr. Carder was formally celebrated with
a toast given by Ed Bush at the Annual Carder Dinner held at the Corning
Country Club. It was noted that Tom Dimitroff as an ambassador for Mr.
Carder‛s glass has participated in an amazing 48 speeches thus far this year. Of
particular interest was a keynote address by Vicki Haupt, an advisor to Steuben
glass, who was introduced by Marie McKee, the President of the Steuben
division. She has instituted a program at the flagship New York store to
integrate traditional crystal Steuben with “vintage” Carder era Steuben. This
was reported to be off to great success. This is a very interesting proposition
of placing in a traditional retail environment an historical collectible item. This
has been successful for Steuben and its impact not only serves Steuben to sell
based on its heritage, but will likely have a positive impact on the collecting
market. It will bring additional attention to Carder inspired glass, bring new
collectors into the fold and can only enhance the market place. Quite exciting
for everyone.
This was a weekend of friends, new friendships and an assault on the visual
senses.