First, my apologies. I sent this out last night. The attachment was too big. Many, therefore, didn’t receive it. Those who did had problems opening it. My only defense is that I struggle a bit with all this technology. I’m trying again, but without an attachment. Sorry, but I’ll leave the picture out this time and leave it to your imagination.

First, our webmaster Mark Buffa reminds us that if you have pictures of glass to be added to the Club’s website Carder On Line Drawings Index cardersteubenclub.com please send those to webmaster@cardersteubenclub.com
Next, it has been suggested that Maybe we should start soliciting for stories from the group about that very first piece that started the whole ball of wax of their collection. How or why did you collect that first piece. I hope maybe we’ll get some interesting comments. To get the ball rolling I’ve attached a chapter from my book where I tell how I started. We’re not seeking anything that elaborate, but think it will be interesting to find out what made it happen for you. We’ll publish them with or without naming you, as you prefer. Just let us know.
I am always asked the question, “How long did it take you to assemble such a vast
and varied collection?” Susan is always asked, “Who dusts all of this?” The answers
are easy. My grand passion for collecting Carder Steuben glass began about six
years ago, aided by luck, timing and internet relationships with dealers and other
collectors willing to part with a piece or two of their prized pieces. And I dust it all.
Susan attempts to turn our glass museum into a home for the people who live in it.
We don’t always agree on which pieces should occupy “most favored status” in our
household, but we both concede that we are running out of space to display these
wonderful art glass treasures.
For many years, Susan and I collected mass produced black amethyst glass. This
glass was manufactured by several American glass companies and was relatively
easy to find. We loved these varied shapes and sizes and integrated these pieces
into our decor using black as the accent color. We amassed a good-sized collection
of about 800 pieces snatched from antique stores, flea markets and house sales. We
shared the joy of the hunt and the fun of finding a really terrific new piece. We used
the vases for flowers and the compotes for candy throughout our home. The
decorating effect in our home was stunning.
The Carder Steuben transformation really began during a vacation trip to San Diego.
We decided to go to the Del Mar Antique Show in hopes of finding some more black
glass. Instead, I was captivated by an elegant gold iridescent bowl, perched simply
and gracefully on a table in one of the booths. I couldn’t stop looking at it. This was
no ordinary piece of glass. There was some kind of a sorcerer’s spell. I was
mesmerized. The piece was extraordinary and clearly an astounding glass art
achievement, beyond anything I had previously witnessed.
The dealer identified it as Steuben, called Gold Aurene. He had me hold it so I could
touch and feel the quality of the glass. It was made in the twenties and designed by
Frederick Carder for Steuben Glass Works. Although I longed to have it, the
incredible asking price of $2000 far exceeded any of my previous purchases. I
walked away-hands empty, but mind filled with the imprint of this glorious piece of
glass. I thought about this Gold Aurene bowl for months. I talked about it. I dreamt
about it. I began researching Carder Steuben, buying books and learning as much as
I could. The piece became my quest. Finally Susan said, “If you love it, you should
buy it” (she always says that). So we flew out for the next Del Mar Antique Show and
raced directly to the same dealer’s booth.
There it sat, my magnificent Gold Aurene bowl, simple, classic and elegant. I bought
it. It is still my most favorite piece of art glass. Well, okay, it was only the beginning
of collecting my favorite art glass pieces.
The pieces, especially the rare ones, are difficult to find. As rewarding as that is, the
real fun is the “hunt”.