Friday, April 5, 2012

In this March’s issue of The Hobstar magazine published by the American Cut Glass Association someone wrote in to the Question of the Month feature to ask about the importance of heat checks to handles on glass as to the collectability inasmuch as it is a natural result of the factory production of glass.

Is a heat check or other imperfection in the manufacturing process considered a flaw or not?

In the answer the author noted that modern day collectors expect everything to be perfect when buying glass over 100 years old.

The author then refers to an article by Carl F. Fauster in the Feb/Mar, 1987 Hobstar, where Fauster says:

“Examining what position authorities take on imperfections in fine glass, we find that handcrafted glass can have small seeds or blisters, or even bubbles. Booklets by Steuben, Libby and others state such minor imperfections must be expected, particularly in colorless glass. If the collector takes a common-sense position on this, my advice is to use the following guideline. If the imperfection does not detract from the main feature of the piece (possibly unnoticeable at an arm’s length, or if properly placed on a display shelf), it is then absolutely acceptable.” The article ends with the author concluding “If all collectors will look for important features of a piece of collectible glass, using common sense regarding imperfections and avoiding the term ‘mint’, it will be more realistic for all collectors, both beginning and advanced.”

What say ye, Steuben collectors?

www.cardersteubenclub.org

Any opinions expressed by participants to the Gazette e-mail newsletters are the opinions of the authors and are not endorsed by or the opinions of the Carder Steuben Club.

2012 Carder Steuben Club annual Symposium will be held at The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY from September 20-22, 2012.