Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Two days ago we reported that the current Steuben company is producing a piece of glass in a red color. Shock of shocks since 1932 Steuben has created colorless crystal pieces.

Beth Shaut of the Carder Steuben Glass Shop in Corning adds to this information.

Hi Alan, This is a limited edition item that Steuben is making in Corning. I found out that for now this is the only one at this time but they may introduce other one of kind limited items later.

Gerry Eggert of Rochester, New York adds his view of this color change.

Why not! Color Sells! Carder knew that. He was primarily knocked out by the Great Depression. Admittedly, sales had been declining for several years during the late 1920s. However, the Swedes never abandoned their colored glass. Orrefors/Kosta are still in business, with plenty of competition from other Europeans. Maybe, just maybe, Carder should have been permitted to continue as a “Studio” shop with colored items. Then Steuben could have had both clear and colored lines. Diversity, or diversification is one of the best long term strategies to stay in business.

Any opinions expressed by participants to the Gazette are the opinions of the authors and are not endorsed by or the opinions of the Carder Steuben Club.