Willow Pole

Gazette readers interested in the willow pole question are advised to check page 70 of Gardner’s book.

Ed Bush, Painted Post, NY

Myth Buster

Hi Folks,

Being unable to attend this year’s gathering is a sad note for me, but Lorna’s right knee replacement is mending beautifully….so all is well.

Paul Gardner told me about the Willow stick, not that it makes it any more fact or fiction. I personally doubt that a willow stick would have the moisture capacity to “bubblize” a complete pot of glass. I would lean towards a chemically induced process. Maybe Greg can chime in with some analytical words of wisdom.

A “straw mark” was explained to me by Harvey Littleton when I was a Grad. student blowing glass, as a portion of the molten glass in which all of the batch ingredients had not completely gone into solution due to a cold spot on the tank. Greg Merkel may also be able to expand on this.

In the meantime, have a wonderful time.

Regards,

David P. Donaldson, MFA, Orlando, FL

Excelsior

This is the first I have heard this definition, “surface flaws, said to be caused by a piece of still-hot glass being packed in straw for shipping.”

For 40 years I was under the impression that straw mark referred to the imperfections found both externally and internally that occurred during manufacture but would not be so egregious to be termed a flaw or damage, rather a manufacturing defect that was not great enough to reject the product. The term was used most frequently in describing molded glass like EAPG and later depression era glass. No reason for the use of the term “straw” was ever offered but it seemed that all who handled the glassware were generally in accord with the term being used.

I would also like to hear opinions on the origin of the term.

Additionally, I think early glass was more likely to have been packed in excelsior rather than straw. That appears to be the bubble wrap equivalent of that era.

Charles Sweigart, Reinholds PA

Straw Marks

That tale originated when people first started collecting Lacy Glass back in the 1930’s. Pressed glass made in the 1820-30’s almost always has that rough line inside the bottom of the piece. It was a shear mark that was caused by snipping off the hot glass from a rod when it was dropped into the mold.

Sam Kissée

Chico, California