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Shapes from the Shape Gallery

from Frank Creech of Brevard, NC

Dear Alan,

Here’s a view about Carder Steuben lamps (and other treasures):

First, don’t we all miss Marshall Ketchum, and his deep knowledge and understanding of Carder Steuben glass? He had an almost uncanny ability to provide authoritative information on virtually any problematical issue concerning Steuben glass.

Two premises:

There is a distinct difference in desirability and value between a piece of glass as it was fabricated at the Steuben factory and a piece of Steuben glass that has been damaged/repaired or modified post-factory production.

Even though a genuine piece of Carder Steuben glass has been damaged and/or repaired and/or modified, it is STILL Carder Steuben glass and STILL has value. How much residual value and how much desirability depends on the extent or severity of the damage/repair/modification and the remaining beauty and rarity of the piece.

One more element of the equation is the attitude, standards, values and requirements of the Carder Steuben collector! Extreme example-one of our dear friends demands absolute perfection. If offered the Venus de Milo as a gift, she would doubtless reject it out of hand because it is a damaged piece!

Even advanced collectors with very high standards will sometimes make an exception if a piece is so rare and so beautiful that one could not expect to ever have a chance to acquire another one.

Here is one interesting example of a Carder Steuben lamp:

Gardner, page 136, states in pertinent part, “Special shapes for Marshall Field and Company, Crest Company, Art Lamp Company and others were numbered from 8001 to 8578.”

Gardner, page 303, in the VASES section, shows an exotic double gourd shape numbered 8554. Tiny hand lettering at both base and lip reads “STRAIGHT EDGE.” This notation is significant.

Shown in Gardner at page 303 as Shape No 8554. Probably should be 8553

#8553 Plum Jade Lamp Base with Chinese Pattern in ACB

The Carder Steuben Club Shape Gallery reveals that Shape 8554 is an entirely different shape. Shape Gallery 8553 conforms to the double gourd as shown in Gardner as 8554, both as to the line drawing and the single photographed example. Further, the line drawing describes, “Lamp Base-Special Order for Crest Co.”

#8554 (see p. 231 Gardner)

It is not unreasonable to conclude that Mr. Carder designed and produced this piece as a lamp base-not a vase-for the Crest Company. The handwritten notation on the factory line drawing on the base and lip of the piece, “STRAIGHT EDGE,” including the dimensions of the piece at those points, clearly indicates that the Steuben gaffer was instructed to prepare the piece to receive the mounts for the lamp.

Final thought: Isn’t collecting beautiful Carder Steuben glass exciting, fun, challenging and gratifying?

All the best, just the best,

Frank Creech