Some advice from prominent collector, Dick Weerts of Osprey, Florida, on his buying standards for rarities

Alan: I guess I will throw my two cents in for what it is worth. I have been offered, and I am sure you have also, pieces reported to be Carder Rouge Flambé glass. Most I would not touch with a ten foot pole.

Many types of the rarer Carder glass can be easily identified, by collectors, such as Tyrian or Florentia. Rouge flambé and a couple of others are ones that I feel are not easily identifiable. I would not be interested in buying a piece unless:

1. I want to know the history of the piece back to day one. Being Carder glass is not that old, many of the pieces of rarer glass are still coming out of collections of first owners or relatives of owners (that scares me a little also). As there were not that many pieces made, I want to know the provenance before I make the large investment required to obtain the piece.

2. Just because it sold at a major auction house, last year two years ago, or 20 years ago, does not make it right.

3. Just because it came out of a major collection does not make it right.

4. Just because it came from a long time dealer does not make it right.

If I were offered a piece, before I purchased it I would see if the Corning Museum of Glass would give me some help, and I would see if I could find out from the Rakow Library or someone familiar with the records, that the piece “might” have been made in that shape and might be right . Then with that research I would make a decision.

If it looks to good to be true………………………….

I have said many times before. Carder was a most marvelous glassmaker, as he is still making Steuben after being gone since 1963. And if you do not believe me just look at some popular web auction sites today to see some of his recent creations.

Dick Weerts