My only comment in this back and forth about club names and glass names is that we are perhaps putting the horse before the cart. To the best of my knowledge no vote has been taken as to whether post Carder Steuben is going to be incorporated into the club or not. As a matter of fact, as far as I know, there hasn’t even been a decision as to who will be allowed to vote; those in attendance at the symposium or all members. Why are people proceeding as if this were a done deal, cause it is not. Perhaps when a vote is taken on the club’s mission, at the same time there can be a few choices of club names/glass names and club members can vote on these at the same time?

Harry Morgan, Beverly, MA

SEEKING A MIDDLE GROUND

I am a collector of art glass in general and appreciate many great makers from many corners of our world. I am lucky enough to finally have found a piece of Tyrian to add to my shelves. I can not in my life time imagine it sitting next to a piece of post Carder clear glass in my home. This said, perhaps there could be a happy medium where the two collecting groups make strategic links like sharing news letters and things that do not belabour our wonderful volunteers that run our existing structure. Wouldn’t this be the best of both worlds, and still protect both group’s integrity? I am just trying to think in neither black nor white the same way Mr. Carder himself might have done to solve a problem.

Norman Skolnick, Toronto, Canada

HISTORICAL FRICTION?

Growing up in Corning, I was never aware of any animosity between those who favoured Carder glass and those who were “for modern Steuben “. My love of collecting started as a child going to Rockwell’s Department Store. I still love antique toys! My love of Carder glass started when my father took me to the furniture department to see Bob Rockwell’s display of Carder glass; where I saw Rosaline and “silk glass” for the first time and was hooked for life. When I was growing up the” modern” Steuben was also a prized possession of my parents and their friends. I guess if Steuben was still being made I might feel differently, but I agree with those who feel that the organization should expand to include both types of Steuben. It will expose more people to the beauty of Carder’s colored glass, and at the same time give the crystal clear Steuben the respect it deserves. The mission of Corning during the “Steuben” days of the 50’s and 60’s reflected the times of post WWII, just as the focus of the current Corning is more on the technological role of glass and the future. I agree with Bobby’s point that the Mission of the Glass Museum is to honor the history of glass throughout the world. I feel our role should be to honor the history of Steuben glass in Corning from Carder through what we still refer to as modern Steuben.

Jan Bevan, Bradenton, Florida

2013 Carder Steuben Club annual Symposium will be held at The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY from September 19-21, 2013. The festivities will begin with Frederick Carder’s 150th birthday celebration on the evening of September 18, 2013.

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