Dealer David Goldstein sends along this missive to follow up with comments about fake marks two days ago and responds on his response to the question about values if the currently made Steuben brand is diluted by economic conditions.
I’ve stayed out of the issue until now but have to state my agreement with Dick Stark regarding a New York dealer that we both know (not a member of the Club) who almost always has signed pieces. I can recall his buying two unsigned Italian copies of Shape 8513 vases in Yellow with Light Blue Jade decoration that I had examined at the auction exhibit. One month later they were offered as signed (Fleur de Lis signature) Steuben vases at another auction house. When I asked him about them I was told that he “found” the signatures when he washed the vases. That was some time ago when my vision was better than it is now but the newly applied signatures were too clear to have been missed.

The question about the future value of Steuben is more interesting and complex. Carder Steuben values are less subject to change because of changes at Steuben than are the values of Modern (Clear) Steuben. Both markets have been impacted by both ebay and general economic conditions; but the impact has been more severe on Modern Steuben. Modern Steuben competes with Lalique, Baccarat and Hoya, each of whom has similar products with wider distribution. Both Lalique and Baccarat are made in both clear and color; whereas Steuben and Hoya are only made in clear. Â Carder Steuben is a different market altogether. I t is bought and sold to and between collectors and dealers and its competition is with Tiffany, Quezal and Durand. The resale market for Modern Steuben has seen much steeper prices drop than Carder Steuben.