Sue Maynard gave a very impressive CSGA symposium presentation referencing newspaper retail advertisements and multiple articles from around the U.S. on Frederick Carder, his family, and his employees.  This clever and well-researched presentation provided a unique contemporary description of events that we perhaps only know about through folklore, and some that we didn’t know about at all.

Sue presented an overview of Mr. Carder, including an article on the incorporation of Steuben Glass Works as described in the Albany newspaper. The article reported Mr. Carder as the chief stock-holder and T. G. Hawkes provided the capital of $50,000. Other interesting articles reported on the deportation of English glassblowers and a plant fire Carder noticed when leaving work at 9:00 pm. Luckily no workers were injured and the insurance paid the claim at $25,000.

Another article included the story of two Corning Steuben packing employees who included their names in the shipping box of aurene glass and received correspondence from two men in Cleveland.  Both couples were later married.  

There were images of articles and advertisements from retailers for Steuben Glass from locations throughout the U.S. Some newspaper ads show price reductions due to the start of the first World War and the impact of the Great Depression. The presentation included over 30 newspaper clippings.  Sue disclosed that she gathered information from the Rakow Library, Newspapers.com, and GenealogyBank for her presentation.  It was very well done, Sue, and thank you!

Cheryl Dartt, our own Carder Steuben Glass Association Secretary, embarked on a journey for this symposium, to discover how vintage lighting was being used in homes.  She reached out to the membership of the Association and the membership responded.  Cheryl received hundreds of photographs of wonderful lighting in beautiful homes.

Cheryl chose a little over 100 photographs from the photos that were submitted and crafted a wonderful presentation. Her narrative gave in depth description of each photograph and the vintage lighting that was presented.

Not limited to Steuben, vintage lighting by Tiffany Studios and others were highlighted. Table lamps, floor lamps, hanging lamps, and sconces were all represented in this wonderful presentation.

So many of the rooms where this vintage lighting was displayed and used, reflected the design aesthetic of the room. Many of the rooms in these photographs had Arts & Crafts furniture which was used in the same time frame that this vintage lightly was produced.  This furniture accentuated the lighting and showed it how it might have been shown in the early 20^th century.

Without the membership that participated, Cheryl would not have been able to put together this presentation.  A big round of applause needs to go out to each member that participated and sent in the beautiful pictures of their vintage lighting and homes.

Thank you to all who have renewed your Carder Steuben Glass Association membership already.  Paper forms for 2025 membership renewal will be mailed out soon.  We would love to save on mailing costs (and save a tree) by having as many members as possible renew their membership electronically before this time.  It’s fast and easy!  Just click here to visit the Membership section of the CSGA website.  You can submit the membership form electronically and pay the annual dues through Paypal or by mailing a check.  We greatly appreciate your support.  Please renew today!