Alan, Here are my thoughts on the current thread.

The picture with this commentary was my first “Steuben” purchase. I’m sure a few of you have just gotten a laugh. I’m not mad and paid a fair price. Honestly, I still don’t know what it is. This candlestick has created a great deal of learning for me. Having collected a number of plates, I have a good sense of the Steuben palette. I have a couple of books and use the website to learn. Yes, I’d still like to know what I have. It has been edited from my collection of Steuben.

This brings me to my first point. I can’t believe that those of you who are collectors woke up one morning and decided to be a Steuben collector. You bought a piece for some reason. It’s beauty, color or it filled a spot well. (If you are like me, there are now two more pieces in that same space too! If you want to cultivate collectors. Help people be purchasers of their first piece. My thoughts are below.

One article or direction that can be addressed is how to decorate with glass. If you run through the cable channels, there are several home renovation shows. Martha Stewart for a while brough out her own line of glass. Not everyone wants what most of you have in your homes. Well, not at first! Glass adds color and shape to a home unlike most other materials.

Obviously an article on buying glass, which by the way, I know prices have softened, there is still a market. I would love to see and I’d even help with an article on buying quality glass online. It’s tricky. This is where the market has gone. This group should go there too. Understanding dealers and why they are important in the marketplace.

I’m willing to bet there is an article on lighting glass somewhere in this string. It should be refreshed and repackaged. Is there a tab on the website “New to Steuben”? There should be a getting started section. A Steuben 101 if you will. The website jumps right in the deep end.

The pendulum swings. This group should be ready when it comes our way.

Brad Withers

Helaine Fendelman is exactly right. Strategic thinking, arts-related pr experience, and lots of work. Carder and Corning should be touchstones in (especially) American art history and design and industrial history.

Rgds, Beth Jacques

Editor’s Note: There is no Issue 3503