Many years ago a wise old dealer who has since passed told me that every collector eventually becomes a dealer. That moment comes when you buy a piece to replace a lesser example in your collection. Elissa and I met the Creeches and the Shovers in the course of our many years as collectors and dealers. Both couples started as clients who became friends.

I can empathize with Elizabeth Creech and the Shovers because, after Elissa passed, I too faced the issue of downsizing our collections. My children have little interest in our glass, no interest in our sterling and fine china, but some interest in our art.

Because we dealt so extensively in Carder Steuben, we did not collect it. If we had kept all the great Carder pieces we purchased for resale we would have had an amazing collection, but we were basically dealers, not collectors. We kept some Carder pieces because they fit into areas of our collecting such as Whimseys, and Silver Overlay. We kept some Carder pieces such as the Ladies centerpiece and several lamps because they fit the décor of our home.

I sold parts of our collection when I downsized but I still have way too much “stuff”. I am slowly disposing of what remains of our inventory and those pieces in the collection that are less meaningful to me. My children recognize that I still get pleasure from many of our pieces, and that they will eventually have to recycle what I keep.

Notwithstanding the fact that I am downsizing, I still plan on bidding on a few items in the Shovers sale that fit into my collection.

David Goldstein

The Link

There’s been a lot of discussion about my proceeding at this time (July 29) to sell my collection at auction. I’ve been asked by several for the link

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/209531_the-marvelous-collection-of-mr-and-mrs-shovers/