First, from Bonnie Salzman

Fellow Collectors,

I applaud Alan and Susan Shovers’ decision to send their lovely Steuben collection to auction. Every collector knows the Thrill of the Hunt. It’s the passion for collecting and the exuberant feeling of a find that keeps us all going.

Attracting new collectors requires that there are pieces out there still to be found, and long-time collectors will lose interest if fresh to the market, high-end pieces cannot be obtained from time to time. A nice collection coming to market is a much more thrilling prospect to collectors than seeing (likely a small portion) of a collection in a museum in some far-away place. I have always looked at myself as a caretaker of my pieces , they were loved by someone before me, and I hope that they will be loved and cared for by someone after me. In fact, I cherish more the pieces that I obtained from someone that I knew or knew of , perhaps a well-known collector who had passed on, a collector who was down-sizing, or a dear friend who was willing to sell a favorite piece. I look at these pieces and remember a loving person, a wonderful occasion or special moment. While the pieces may be gone from my collection someday, I will always have the memories.

And so, Alan and Susan, I look forward to bidding on a few of your items in the hopes that at least one will come into my home to admire, research, share, display and yes, even use. And I will love and care for it just as you have. Someday, just as I intend with all of my pieces, I will pass it on to another collector who I hope will care for it for a period of time. They will admire it and maybe even share the story about how they acquired it. And then later, it will pass on to another. After all, that is what collecting is all about.

Thank you for making this decision.

ÿ
Bonnie Salzman

President, Carder Steuben Club

next from Jack Hartwein-Sanchez

Alan,

Thank you for your wonderful letter last Friday; I appreciate it because it reflects my own feelings and one of my joys.

I wish I was closer to Dana Beach so that I could view your collection first hand. The photos are breathtaking, my complements to the auction house photographer.

I don’t have the means to own what I admire, but thanks to auctions I have the chance to examine them up close. Being near Boston has given me the chance to examine items from the time of the Pilgrims, the Revolution, and the history of the major hub that is Boston and New England. For a history buff being able to view, yet alone hold in my hands a Paul Revere tankard, could only happen because someone decided to allow it to circulate within the collecting community.

I enjoy my collection and yes I do look forward to the day my items will be set free for others to enjoy. I’ve already decided that the proceeds from that sale will be used to endow an education fund, rather than a purchase fund, at a museum to be determined in the future.

Thank you for all that you do for the club.

Respectively yours,

Jack Hartwein-Sanchez

More from Debby Schultz

We all are possessed with our collections! I look at everyone’s show cases & realize that there are so many people who love beautiful things & are a bit crazed. Our children have skipped a beautiful part of life.

Debby Schultz

Where Did It Go?

A couple weeks ago I received a request for help in identifying a green piece of art glass. I’m sorry to report I lost the e-mail. So, if it was you, please resend