Monday, July 11, 2011

Frank Ford noted in Gazette #1230 that the auction at James Julia’s was not kind to Carder Steuben’s creations overall. Some of the reserves were above the current auction market, leaving quite a bit unsold. Overall his observations were of soft bidding.

Charles Sweigart in the last Gazette (#1232) had some interesting observations on the marketplace and how the bidding process works. Part of his summary reads: History shows, the time to acquire the objects you have a passion for is when others are not willing to pay the price. If buying for future profit, usually a profit is to be gained using this method. If buying because you love the object, profit is irrelevant.

I received an interesting anonymous question from a subscriber who I’ll identify as X. X says that the overall market for art glass has recently strengthened; although, Steuben seems to be continuing to languish. X points out that Lalique, for example, is on the rise. X’s question is what has happened in the market place for Mr. Carder’s creations. It’s as though Steuben has become a commodity. X query’s whether we, the Carder Steuben collectors have been too busy researching the details of methods and materials. We have a great store of information unlike any other glass maker. Yet, the understanding of the specifics may have led us to forget that love and artistry of Mr. Carder’s creations; the wonderment of Mr. Carder’s precious objects. Do Tiffany and Lalique collectors and others focus on techniques, or just sheer beauty? Why have some of these other artists’ works been bouncing back, and somehow Carder’s works seem to have a reduced market; fewer dealer interest or why is the magic lost? Some interesting questions that might deserve a meaningful discussion.

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2011 Carder Steuben Club annual Symposium will be held at The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY from September 15-17, 2011.