USES OF STEUBEN GLASS

Al Bradtke asked how people had used their Steuben. We have a story to share.

In 1994, we looked every where for a Steuben basket. Of course that year (Jan. to April) there were none available at any auction or antique show or auction in the Kansas City area. (Lots of Steuben just no baskets!) Thank goodness Aunt Ruth (deLorraine) came to our rescue and sold us her calcite and gold aurene basket. We made the transaction at Early’s Auction in Cincy. We happily returned with the basket.

I carried it when Tom and I got married that July! The flowers were beautiful but the basket…… stole the show. The bride came in second to the basket with Aunt Ruth. I still don’t know if Aunt Ruth ever saw the wedding or just kept her eyes on the basket. She took the basket from me as soon as we made it to the back of the church. Nothing was going to happen to that basket.

By the way, I carried that basket with two hands. Yes one was on the handle but the other always supported the basket on the bottom. We still have the basket.

Yes, Aunt Ruth has replaced the basket. And we have purchased a second basket! We do have two girls.

Tom and Mary Ortyl, Zionsville, IN

MORE USES

I personally have used many of my pieces of Steuben. Carder’s intended use for these pieces was well thought out. For those of you that have never put ice water Mirror Black or milk in a Verre de Soie pitcher you are in for a real treat. Milk in VDS looks like a real pearl.

Rande Bly, Birmingham, AL

DINNER INVTATION

In Gazette #1740 the question was asked if anyone used their Steuben in their daily lives. Well I often surprise my overnight guest by using my Celeste Blue table service for breakfast (with the exception of hot beverages). I use the 8 ½” plates for place settings and two 10 ½” plates for serving. Bowl with under plates or 1692 sherbets for fresh fruit and 1692 goblets for juice or water. Finally, to finish things off: knife, fork and spoon (clear handles) for flatware. This may also appear for a sit-down luncheon.

Also I have used my 3361 bowls with my 6448 flower frog as a center piece for dinners.

I believe in enjoying what I collect, especially when I use them and share them with my friends.

Jack Hartwein-Sanchez

Tiverton, RI

QUESTION FOR THE DAY

I have a general question about glass manufacturing methods: I have two 10″ vases. Each was made during the 1905-1910 time period.

One has a concave polished pontil……. the other a smooth flat bottom surface. Can anyone enlighten me regarding 1) quality, 2) identification of company/manufacturer, 3) original price or current valuation points……… Both vases are leaded glass and roughly same thickness, etc.

Willson Craigie, Richmond, VA

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.

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