From Beth Shaut at the Carder Steuben Shop
I know from working with Mr. Rockwell for over 14 years that knowing the glass was more important the a signature. A lot of Steuben was not signed as it was more important to fill the quotas needed in the outlets than to sign everything. When collecting became prevalent we started seeing more forged signature but we went by the piece rather than a signature. Your best bet is to talk to someone who knows the glass. We pride ourselves on helping collectors by identifying. While working here in the shop I have seen many pieces unsigned and several with fake signatures and also pieces with signatures that were not Steuben. Mr. Rockwell always said to trust your instinct if a piece felt right. If you are wary of a piece pass it up or talk to some you know will advice you on it. Most reputable dealers will let you check on a piece with someone you trust to identify the piece.

I would like to add to Lon’s remarks. Most Aurene sold through Steuben outlets were signed by a person at the factory by engraving tools. But they also sold pieces to companies such as Haviland China Company, some of the Silver Companies, Cologne Companies like DeVilbis Atomizer company, and they were not allowed to sign those piece as they were being sold through those companies and not as Steuben. Also in the time that we have had the Carder Steuben Glass Shop at its present location we have only had 7 pieces of Calcite signed all but 2 questionable signatures as these were signed with a Fluer de lis not engraved like the other Aurene pieces.

Then from Bea Weiskopf of Bea Weiskopf Antiques of Northbrook, Illinois.
Hello All

Thank you for your comments. My original question referred to no mark v acid mark v signature on well-documented Carder pieces, not pieces requiring authentication. Do you give any weight to no mark, acid mark or signature when placing a value on an item?