First to the news of today. With the announced closing of the Rockwell shop at the end of the year many feared the loss of this traditional stopping point for Steuben collectors. Well, then we heard someone was ready to continue, and now Beth Shaut reports:
“Yes, we can announce the news of the new store. We are officially now The Carder Steuben Glass Shop LLC and we have taken over the space where we have been for the last 14 years. I will manager and run the store as I have been in the past. We are going to keep Mr. Rockwell coming down as long as he feels up to it so don’t worry that he won’t be here because he will. It’s just now he doesn’t have to worry about the business anymore. We have gotten some new stock but haven’t gotten it all open yet.
We will be having some work done on the space so we aren’t leaving everything out because I will have to unpack some of the case while the walls are being painted.”
Next, I’ve had wonderful response to the question of whether the Club should join with CMoG in purchasing the candlesticks for the Spanish Galleon console set. Pretty unanimous that we should proceed. It’s ashamed all of the responses can’t be shared. However, I’ll give you one of the latest I’ve received, just to give you a tone of the responses.
“Please go ahead with the purchase of the candlesticks. We will never have the chance at them again and we should seize the opportunity.”
The major question raised in the e-mail responses is how do we truly reunite the set if the Rockwell owns the center bowl and the CMoG the candlesticks. Not a perfect answer to that. However, the alternative is the candlesticks will fall into private hands. At least we can keep these within museum ownership and be assured for the next five years they are together. After the contract expires between the two museums, it seems likely that something positive will be worked out. Not anything we can be sure of, but at least between the two institutions a better than likely chance some mutual arrangement will follow.
A few, and just a few, responses commented with surprise that we can afford to make this
contribution. Our treasurer, Jim Sutterfield reports that the auction at the Symposium grossed $16,970 and netted $6,722. A great auction, and enough to fund this purchase. In addition we have prospects of a $1,000 contribution for the candlesticks.
Now to the appreciation front. The person at CMoG that Dick Bright went to, to seek this cooperative venture was Eleanor Cicerchi, their Development Director, who in turn went “to bat” to sell this to David Whitehouse and Jane Spillman. She got the deed done. Our growing relationship with CMoG is due to Eleanor and her assistant, Miriam Paul. If you are in Corning at CMoG and don’t know them, you want to make sure and look up Eleanor and/or Miriam. You’ll have a delightful visit and can take advantage of our growing relationship. We hope to take advantage of this by hosting some or all of our next Symposium, Sept. 15 & 16, 2006 at CMoG. (Dick Bright–I hope this Gazette isn’t the first CMoG hears of this. If so, well at least I’ve paved the way for you.)
The next couple of months generates the season of shows in Florida. Hopefully, those who attend will provide feedback to report on happenings. The Miami National show is Jan. 13-15 and The Miami Beach show is Jan. 19-23, 2006. Jeff Purtell a dealer in post 1932 Steuben clear crystal invites us Carder collectors to stop in and say hello and introduce yourself to him if you happen to be attending the Palm Beach show on Feb. 17-21.
To learn more about what is going on with the current Steuben scene and some of its activity in selling “vintage” Steuben at its Madison Avenue store we have high hopes of having Marie McKee, President of Steuben speak at the Friday luncheon of the Symposium on Sept. 15, 2006. While she’s not sure if she has a conflict or not, if not Marie, we can expect someone from the company to provide this latest important update on the Steuben Companies current activities.
www.cardersteuenclub.com