Friday, November 30, 2012

David Goldstein of Naples, Florida passes along some background on Forsyth Galleries in Texas

Alan,

The Forsyth Galleries at Texas A & M in College Station has a major glass collection. Although the collection is more focused on English Cameo and Tiffany, it has some outstanding Carder Steuben. Unfortunately, the website does not show much of the collection.

To quote the website:

“Endowed by Bill (’35) and Irma Runyon, the Forsyth Galleries are home to a stunning array of English Cameo Glass, important American paintings and other glass and porcelain artworks by noted artists such as Louis Comfort Tiffany, Steuben Glass Works and Mount Washington Glass Company. The Runyon Highlights Exhibition features an overview of the collection, emphasizing formal pieces which represent the discerning eye of the collectors.”

The back story behind the formation of the collection is that the Runyon’s, who were loyal Aggies, wanted to add culture to the school. They retained Ray and Lee Grover, who had retired as dealers, to buy the best glass that was available. The Grovers had the knowledge and experience, and the Runyons had the resources to make this happen. Its an out of the way place but if you are in the area, its worth a detour.

David Goldstein

There was some question about the proper attribution for a colored olive dish in the collection at the Wichita Museum. Scott Hansen of Briarcliff Manor, New York recalled seeing something on this. After doing a search on the Club’s website www.cardersteubenclub.org he found that Gazettes #1054 & #1055 have the answers.

From Carder Steuben Club Gazelle Gazette #1055 January, 15, 2011

First, by Tom Dimitroff of Corning.

In response to the question about the Olive Dish in color, as a resident of Corning I have seen several pieces of post 1932 or Modern Steuben whimseys that were made by workmen during slow times or their breaks. They are fun to have.

Then Bobby Rockwell of Corning adds the following information.

I might be able to shed some light on pieces like this. Blair Hardenburg, who was a server in Roy Denson’s shop at Steuben and taught his trade by Joe Falk, would often color clear Steuben that was in current production. Where he would obtain these colors might be anywhere. I know that he used to get some of his colors at Pairpoint. The colors that he used were mainly a gold ruby, an amethyst, blue and green and would range from paperweights to vases. Blair would then peddle them to merchant sources to sell. While the glass is Steuben, Blair never signed them or claimed that they were factory pieces that I know of. An example of his work, a goblet with a gold ruby and clear combination, is with the Rockwell Collection.

Unfortunately some people have had them signed Steuben and are baffling collectors to this day. I might think that this is what you may be observing.

Bobby Rockwell