None Finer

The leading text on shades is Darrah L. Roberts, Collecting Art Nouveau Shades. At page 10 of the 1972 edition the author says:

“If there is one make of glass that consistently catches the trained eye of the advanced collector it is the colored Aurene glass made by Steuben. We must come to this conclusion after talking and corresponding with many collectors and taking note of their likes and desires. Most collectors of fine handblown iridescent glass have excellent taste and judgment, so this fact should be no big surprise to most of you.

“The Steuben shades shown in this book were an important part of the total production of the Steuben Glass Works. Many of the motifs found on Steuben shades are unique to shades and could not be enjoyed today if they had not been created. How else could the Steuben collector obtain an example of such decorations as blue feather, blue Leaf and Vine, fishnet, King Tut type swirl, and brown Aurene decorated with most every color. It is obvious that Mr. Carder’s fertile mind worked overtime when he was thinking u decorations for his shades. It may even be that he thought more of them than he did of the other forms of glass.

“When all aspects of fine glass are considered, we must conclude that there is none finer than that made by Steuben. There may be more popular glass, or glass of higher monetary value, but there is no better glass. We admit to being a trifle prejudiced, but only a trifle, since we like the others almost as well.”