Hello all Carder Club members and Gazelle Gazette readers!

This year’s Symposium in Corning on September 14th to 16th promises to be another wonderful fun and educational experience for all attending. Traditionally, our Symposium concludes with our final night dinner and auction. I hope all will agree that it is a relaxing evening and a great time to share stories with old and new friends, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow Carder glass collecting enthusiasts. This year’s auction I am hoping, will be a continuation of our many years of successful auctions, where the proceeds help provide the continued financial sustainability of the Club. We always have a nice selection of Carder Steuben, Post Carder Steuben, and Corning related item each year, however this year I would like to propose that members consider the possibility of placing a scarcer more unusual item from their collection into the auction, which will really temp the auction bidders. As always, the item(s) can be consigned or donated if you choose. If you send me a picture of an item you may like to place into the auction, we will publish them into the Gazette to give everyone an idea of this year’s offerings. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Mark A. Chamovitz

Carder Steuben Club Auction Chairman

Speaking of the Symposium

The Curious and Curiouser exhibition will be on display at the Rakow Library during the Symposium this year – September 14 to 16. In the description, note the reference to Greg Merkel’s work with Frederick Carder’s notebooks.

Abstract from Curious and Curiouser: Surprising Finds Article from the Rakow Library.

Inspired by the Collection

Like all libraries, the Rakow Library is an incubator where all types of creativity can flourish. Bandhu Dunham found his inspiration in a collection of photographs and advertisements; Greg Merkel, a scientist and glass collector, was inspired by a set of notebooks in the archives. He collects works designed by artist Frederick Carder for Steuben Glass in Corning, New York. Carder was a prolific designer who left behind many notebooks filled with recipes for colors and types of glass. However, it can be difficult to pair a written recipe with a finished piece of glass.

Merkel, who is interested in both the beauty and chemical composition of Carder’s glass, decided to research the creation and development of each color, and definitively match pieces of glass to their corresponding recipes. As part of this work, he created a database of the recipes from the notebooks in the Rakow Library. He then used XRF (X-ray fluoresence) technology to scan pieces of glass for their composition. By doing so, he is able to connect the glass to a particular recipe. His work has led to the correct identification of many pieces of Carder’s glass, and benefits those who study and collect them.