Wow! The responses have been fascinating. First the “C” middle initial for Mr.
Carder and now Club v. Society. Some great ideas. Because of the volume and
importance, they’ll come out in a series of e-mails.
First, several of you have been reminded you don’t belong to the Club, or is it
the Society? We’re all in this together. Your support is vital to promote Carder
Steuben glass. So, I’m attaching an application form. Please sign up because it
is healthy for the collective collectors, or just out of guilt.
To start with I’m going to pass on Audrey Lipton’s comments. She started all
this with her ideas, so I’ll pass along her comments. Rather than my
interpretation of what she was thinking, I’ll let her speak for herself.
Dear Alan,
Wow. There is no doubt about your capacity to absorb and assess concepts. I
didn’t know my thoughts would be so widely shared when we spoke but I am
pleased you made that happen. Your articulate presentation really captured the
essence of our conversation. I can think of no other fine artist whose work
is defined by being collected and appreciated via a club. As you set forth,
Carder’s extraordinary work should not be equated with baseball cards and
Barbie dolls when it ought to be perceived as a higher art form in the tradition
of fine decorative arts through the ages. As it now stands the concept of a
collectors club is killing the concept of connoisseurship for academics,
museum curators and auction specialists who would realize greater profits from
enhanced prices. As the great Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “the road to hell is
paved with good intentions.” In this instance the club, by its very existence, is
inhibiting the goals it wishes to accomplish. It will be interesting to review the
reactions from your readers.