David Goldstein has hit the problem squarely and accurately, but I do think that there is another reason why collecting Steuben took a nosedive. When Corning broke up the Rockwell Collection and moved it to their facilities the Friends of Carder, which was a strong membership group of the Rockwell Museum, came to an end. To be sure the annual dinner and auction is still being held but when the the collecting group belonged to the Rockwell those funds that were generated from the auction were in turned used to support future exhibitions, catalogs, and publications. This was done in some cases once a year in regards to exhibitions besides having a permanent display of Carder Glass thus creating renewed interest in Steuben Glass and its history.

When the Steuben was moved the collection was cut in half and although excellently displayed the themes of a masterpiece section and a study section was relegated to simply a study section and all put together. Now one cannot even see that as it has been moved and I don’t believe is on display. Just reviewing the pieces of Steuben in other museums with the notation “not on display” should tell us something.

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All this makes it difficult to generate new interest and as the older collectors and dealers disappear so does the chapters of the Steuben. I almost feel that we are now a “Last Person Standing Club” and perhaps we should buy a bottle of wine so that the final members can raise a glass and say “Those were the Days”.

Bobby Rockwell

Correspondence

Debby Schultz, you’re famous, you have been published. Wonder if you will get any responses that have a viable e solution. So much has entered into the equation, COVID, changing lifestyles,and more.

Take care.

Fran Gabel