Cliff Notes

Hi Alan,

I read with interest the post requesting input on titles for a glass reference library. I was a little surprised that more members did not weigh in on some of the titles available for the glassmakers that the requestor mentioned, or provide more detailed comments about the books. I find it helpful to get people’s analysis of a book, to determine whether the information in a particular tome is reliable, or best used with caution. I think we had this discussion regarding the Eric Ericson books on Steuben!

I’ve reviewed glass reference books in print before. I try to be thorough and fair in my reviews, being quick to praise excellence but not hesitating to point out shortcomings or errors (whether careless or justifiable.) However, due to space limitations in the G.G., in my recommendations below, I’ll do the “Cliff Notes” version for a couple of books on one glassmaker: Sinclaire.

As far as Sinclaire glass goes, aside from the book on the Cut & Engraved Glass of Corning, really the only game in town is Estelle Sinclaire Farrar’s H.P. Sinclaire, Jr. Glassmaker, Book I and Book II. I believe that every collector of Carder Steuben needs to own at least Volume II in his or her library. It’s invaluable for getting a sense of how to discern Steuben from Sinclaire when the shapes are similar – particularly when the item in question is a transparent color and is not marked with an acid stamp by either company. After studying the shapes in the Sinclaire book, I now find that I can spot certain Sinclaire shapes and tell them apart from Steuben ones. Usually this is because the Sinclaire shapes do not have the same graceful proportions as Steuben shapes – e.g., a footed vase may be too wide at the shoulder and too narrow at the constriction.

Fortunately for us, Volume II is not that difficult to find for sale online at a reasonable price – often as “new old stock.” I know that whenever I see a used copy for sale at a flea market, shop, or show, I grab it. Each has found an appreciative new home quickly.

Volume I, on the other hand, is a different story. While that book covers primarily the clear crystal Sinclaire production, it depicts catalog pages full of gorgeous examples of engraved items that you just don’t see on the open market very often. My advice is, if you find Volume I, buy it — even if you don’t want it for yourself, because I assure you, someone else out there sure does.

Unfortunately the bindings of these books were not good, and they often come loose from the cover. But as we know, that doesn’t lessen the value of the information inside. Lucky is the collector who has one of the rare hardbound editions of either of these books. I wish I did.

Another day this week, I will weigh in on the Dorflinger book, and the three Pairpoint glass titles with which I am familiar. However, if anyone else who specializes in the wares of those companies wishes to do so, please be my guest, as my familiarity with these companies is really only at the beginner level.

Michael Krumme,
Los Angeles