Tuesday afternoon, January 31, 2012

Lots of thoughtful input on whether the Carder Steuben Club should enlarge its mission to include modern Steuben. Its obvious that our members have varying feelings about adding Modern Steuben Collectors to the Club. We continue to share these responses and welcome more. So, the Gazette will continue publishing the many comments we’ve received over the coming days.

1. First, from Kathy Soloman of Pepper Pike (Cleveland), Ohio

My husband and I knew only about modern Steuben when we visited Corning years ago. (Somehow, we missed Mr. Rockwell’s store!) We began collecting modern Steuben with the apple, then a heart, then Excalibur, a candy cane, a penguin, numerous others and then when our kids arrived, hand coolers each holiday season. When I learned about the Carder glass, I was blown away by its beauty and by the magnificent colors.

One question I might ask is the demographics of your members? Might modern S bring a new population to the club? Whether Steuben and Carder liked or disliked each other is meaningless to me – what I find important is the craftsmanship of the pieces and whether a piece “sings” to me!

Kathy Solomon

2. David Chadwick-Brown of San Diego comments:

Before responding, let me express my profound thanks to Alan and David, and his Board, for their efforts and energies on behalf of the Carder community!

Another task I had before responding to this request was a trip to Madigan’s book this morning, and after looking over the line drawings of all those who contributed under the Steuben label after the remaining production pieces of Carder in each of her categories , for me the answer is clear.

In each of Madigan’s categories, there are a few carry-overs from Carder; then the later designers and their drawings, and while I do not judge the artistry or merits of their work, they just do not measure up to Carder’s oeuvre. And while I would be the first to admit that there are a few of his designs I find less than exciting, I can say that most of the more recent ones just don’t have the elegance. While they may have appropriated scrolls or twist stems, to my eye they lack grace (and, it would seem, marketability, if we are to accept the judgment of the marketplace) of Carder pieces.

I’m fine, I would keep our focus on Carder. Most of us probably also have some modern Steuben mixed in, but I doubt that it will ever have the unity to attract a following, as has Carder’s legacy.

3. June Riccio of Alamo, California opines.

I would vote to stay with Carder Steuben only.

4. John Styler of Prospect Heights, Illinois weighs in:

Here’s my two cents on this subject along with $3,230 it would get me a Houston Arctic Fisherman.

The works of Yenawine, Thompson, Wier, Pollard, Schaefer, etc. and above all in my estimation, Erlacher, have to be recognized as magnificent pieces of Steuben art.

We have to acknowledge the fact our club was created to recognize the works of Frederick Carder but I see no problem in entertaining conversation on the Modern, except for the stuff produced since the take over and eventual demise of the company.

John Styler

And so, the discussion continues. Stay tuned for much more.

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.