Man’s Age-old Problem

from A Guide To Colored Steuben Glass 1903 – 1933 by Eric E. Ericson

p. 89

Frederick Carder had many problems as a newcomer to the United States. One of the most frustrating for him was the problem f taking a drink of water. It seems that Corning in those days had quite a problem with flies. Each time Mr. Carder wanted a drink, he found several flies taking a hygienic (sic) bath in his water jug. Besides that, they literally adopted his glass as their habitat.

Tumble-ups seemed to be the answer, but the old designs still allowed flies to light on the rim of the glass in the inverted position, and in many instances, still allowed them to crawl under the glass and into the water jug.

His answer was ingenious in man’s age-old problem of battling his enemies. The Steuben tumble-up features a raised rim which neatly houses the glass in its inverted position within the neck of the jug. This precluded any flies from slighting thereon, and also from crawling under the rim. In other words, the rim or pouring neck encases the drinking glass. He laughingly admitted that this worked, but that he had to pour fast and drink fast for they came dangerously close to using his oral cavity as a hangar!

Steuben tumble-ups may be found in gold and blue Aurene, colored crystal, and clear crystal embellished with either gold or enameled trim. In cases of trim, the application was done by women decorators, of whom he employed several.

The handles are quite large, being adequate for masculine use, their original purpose. Generally speaking, the handles on Steuben wares are large and easily used for the purpose the the design intent–to lift.

Tumble-Up Examples

Shape 3064