Damaged Goods

from David Goldstein of Naples, FL

Many years ago, before there was a Carder Steuben Club, the Friends of Carder celebrated Frederick Carder’s birthday with a seminar and dinner at the Rockwell Museum. Following dinner the group would reassemble at the home of Peetie and Tom Dimitroff for a nightcap (or two or three..).

At one such gathering I was sitting on the porch with Paul Gardner and we were talking about valuing and buying damaged pieces. Paul made several points that have stuck with me to this day. One was that having a damaged example of a rarity was better than having no example at all. The other was that the Portland Vase, which is in the British Museum, was badly damaged and professionally repaired. He asked the rhetorical question of whether or not I would buy the Portland Vase if it were available, knowing full well that any truly serious collector would kill for that piece.

An interesting article about the history of the Portland Vase is available at:

Article on Conservation

Can You Identify this Glass

from Willson Craigie of Richmond, VA

I will send $10.00 to anyone who can identify the maker of this glass…… Not a reference to an expert….. I’m looking for a sales brochure, advertisement or any other printed proof…… good luck !!