Sep 23, 2008
Issue 415
Gordon Hancock of Patchogue , NY sent this report out to some of his glass collector friends.
Hi all
I just returned from the Carder Steuben Club Symposium at the Corning Museum of
Glass in Corning New York from September 18th to the 20th. The event was very well
organized and attended. I will give you just some of the highlights.
Thursday evening began with a birthday party for Fredrick Carder, at the Corning Country
Club, where each table had a beautiful Carder Steuben acid cut back piece as a centerpiece.
President Alan Shovers welcomed the members and Tom Dimitroff gave a brief presentation
and spoke eloquently about Carder Steuben glass. It was a lovely evening.
Friday morning began with registration and breakfast in the Corning Museum of Glass
Auditorium, where the staff of the Corning Museum of Glass Rakow Library and members
displayed a wonderful collection of Carder Steuben ephemera. After lunch, Tom Dimitroff,
moderated a panel discussion entitled, Memories of those who knew Fredrick Carder; a
wonderful discussion that included Bob Rockwell.
Early that evening we all got together at the Hillcrest Manor, the lovely Victorian home of
Dick Bright and Kyle Goodman, where we enjoyed Pizza wine and fellowship. The evening
was topped off with a wine and dessert reception at the Carder Gallery at the CMoG. A
wonderful collection of Carder Steuben glass is housed in the only gallery in the Museum
devoted to one type of glass and contains thousands of pieces. Some of the finer pieces in the collection were donated by Frank and Mary Elizabeth Reifschlager. Jane Spillman, curator of glass at the CMoG welcomed us all and gave a brief presentation about the Reifschlager bequest. Saturday morning back in the CMoG auditorium prominent dealer David Goldstein, gave a presentation regarding how to market Carder Steuben and in the afternoon members displayed their collections and discussed them. It was interesting that the members collected many types of American art glass, not just Carder Steuben. I found these displays and discussions most enjoyable. The event was finished off with a fabulous dinner in the dining room of the Corning Corporate Headquarters followed by an auction of Carder Steuben glass. The auction contained two framed photographs of Tiffany glass donated by Tom Dimitroff. As the only Tiffany collector in the group, I was obligated to bid on them, but when I opened the bidding at $25.00 no one would bid against the, Tiffany Pastel Guy, and I won them both for the bargain price of $25.00 each! The auction was great fun and everyone enjoyed it.
I had a wonderful weekend and I recommended the Carder Steuben Glass Club to anyone who
has an interest in any type of art glass.
Best regards to all,
Gordon Hancock