Hi Folks,

Just a quick hello and a very Happy New Year wish to you all!

Be safe and be well in 2018. I do so enjoy the Gazette and all who contribute.

Cheers,

David P. Donaldson

Reifschlager Gallery At Rockwell Musuem–Pre-2000

Acid Etched

Due to the lengthy period of development in obtaining a satisfactory color, and then a further period of adapting the most pleasing shape to it, Frederick Carder estimates the process took about one year. Couple this with the fact that the item thus developed was on the open market for about one year on the average, …

In discussing this particular Steuben type with Mr. Carder, he pointed out that there were approximately 400 patterns,or designs, made for Acid Cut Back major items. Some designs looked better on the drawing bord than the finished product, and in these cases only one item was made. Others which showed up exceptionally well were allowed to go through a total of six production pieces.

A yearly showing of Steuben was held in Chicago. The first year he displayed his acidized overlay items, a lamp manufacturer approached him and requested a large number be made for lamp bases.

The Acid Cut Backs are for the most part quite imposing artistically, and also in their sheer, sensual impact. Commonly called “cameo,” it is not wise to do so while Mr. Carder is listening, and in fact they are not cameo. The design, which can be either in relief or bas relief was due to the action of a hydrofluoric acid bath. The initial tracing of the outline on the item was done with a sharp diamond cutting tool. The entire piece was coated with wax, the unwanted portion scraped off so as to allow the acid to finalize the process.

Usually the Acid Cut Backs have one portion glossy and one portion acidized. Some are completely acidized. …They are unique in that most Steuben Acid Cut Backs are of two layer structure, whereas they are but a single homogeneous mass.

Abstracted from A Guide to Steuben Colored Glass 1903-1933 by Eric E. Ericson, pp.37-41

Examples of Acid Etched