Glass Shards Page 2

GlassNEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL Shards AMERICAN GLASS CLUB www.glassclub.org Founded 1933 A Non-Profit Organization Winter 2011-12 Steuben Glass LLC Closes A unique, storied and quintessential the Corning Glass Works) assumed glass for production has come from American tradition has come to an leadership of Steuben, taking the firm small freestanding furnaces on the end. in a new direction aimed at produc- factory floor. As reported in the New York Times ing quality colorless products while Unfortunately, as the VP of Market- on September 15, 2011 “the 108- de-emphasizing Mr. Carder’s color- ing for Schottenstein explained at year-old glassmaker is shutting down ful creations. 75 years later, in 2011, the September, 2011 Carder Steuben its factory in Corning, NY, and its Steuben re-introduced muted, smoky Club Symposium held in Corning, flagship store on Madison Avenue in colors in a limited number of their their plan to re-brand and re-focus Manhattan. The cause of the compa- most popular items, retaining at least Steuben’s products was dealt a seri- ny’s demise was a waning appetite for one segment of clear glass in each ous blow by the current economic fancy crystal that was exacerbated by piece. Unfortunately, we will never recession. He also commented that the weak economy, company officials know if the new colored product line today’s Gen X and Gen Y consumers said.” was destined to be a successful one. in their 30’s and 40’s have a very dif- “We did not see an increase in new In 2008, Corning, Inc. (after ferent concept of luxury. Luxury for consumers or established collec- them might mean an Apple i-Pad or tors,” Ron Sykes, a spokesman for a Lexus, but probably not fine glass. the Schottenstein Stores Corporation, Times have changed. which bought Steuben from Corning Corning, Inc. has purchased the Inc. three years ago said on Thurs- rights to the brand name Steuben, but day.” has stated in the local press that they Steuben Glass Works was founded have no plans to revive the product in 1903 when Thomas G. Hawkes line. Between 60 and 70 people will persuaded Frederick Carder to be affected by the closure. Steuben’s leave his employment at Stevens & flagship store on Madison Avenue is Williams in England and move his expected to close prior to the expira- family to Corning, NY. Financed by tion of their lease in January 2012. Hawkes, Carder established a glass The closure of the factory will not factory to manufacture fine quality impact the operations of the Corning blanks for cutting by the Hawkes Museum of Glass. The museum is a firm, the largest of the many cutting stand-alone non-profit organization, shops then operating in Corning. Be- East of the Sun, West of the Moon with no legal or financial relationship sides blanks for cut glass, Mr. Carder to Steuben. The physical Steuben fac- started making a wide variety of art Steuben incurred losses in 17 of tory is owned by Corning, Inc. glass items that successfully com- the past 20 years) sold its interests Those of us who live in the Corn- peted with many of Louis Comfort in Steuben to Schottenstein Stores ing area are much saddened by the Tiffany’s products as well as those of Corporation of Columbus, OH. As loss of Steuben. It was a recognized Quezal, Kew Blas, etc. part of the sale, Schottenstein leased center of excellence for fine glass The firm was sold to Corning Glass Steuben’s factory that is physically production, with a uniquely talented Works during WWI, when the federal attached to the Corning Museum staff of designers, gaffers, engravers, government put restrictions on raw of Glass and acquired their skilled cutters and polishers, quality control materials essential to Steuben Glass’s employees, continuing production inspectors, et alia - including those operations. Corning Glass Works of Steuben until they announced the who used a diamond stylus to sign continued to operate Steuben as a closing of the company. Steuben’s each completed piece with the iconic division with Mr. Carder at the helm. glass furnace was shut down earlier in “Steuben” in script. (800) STEUBEN In the early 1930’s, Arthur Hough- 2011 and was an accurate harbinger www.steuben.com ton (the Houghton family controlled of things to come. In recent months, -Kindly submitted by NAGC Treasurer, John Kohut Glass Shards Page 2 President’s Letter Ancient Glass Treasures Dear Friends, to enable a student to attend a future A number of our members were NAGC Seminar. Mary Cheek Mills, Made by Ennion: Ancient Glass among the large group of registrants Education Programs Manager for The Treasures from a Shlomo Moussaieff this fall for The Corning Museum of Corning Museum of Glass, is seeking Collection – on perspective by Jan Glass 50th Annual Seminar on Glass potential scholarship recipients for 28, 2012. The Israel Museum, Jeru- celebration (and the 60th anniversary this award and for our Distinguished salemPOB 71117, Jerusalem 91710, of the museum). The Seminar was a Member Recognition Program. Please Israel www.imj.org.il memorable one, inspired by the “Mt. contact her with any suggestions/nom- This exhibition presents twenty Washington and Pairpoint Glass: inations for the scholarship awards or unique glass vessels from the first- American Glass from the Gilded Age for further information. century CE, including seven highly to the Roaring Twenties” exhibit Finally, our industrious Webmaster rare examples of the work of the that opened with much fanfare at the Francis Allen has asked me to remind master glassmaker Ennion, who museum’s anniversary celebration in those members planning to make on- began his career in Sidon (present- May of this year. A series of excellent line holiday purchases through Ama- day Lebanon) and later immigrated lectures characterized this aesthetical- zon.com about the link he added to to Italy. On public view for the first ly restless and technically inventive the first page of our website at www. time, these mold-blown vessels, era, and the Seminar concluded with glassclub.org that connects directly including decorated jugs, vases, a lavish banquet in the museum audi- to Amazon and rewards us for each beakers, and cups, come from the torium. The closing of Steuben Glass referral purchase without any increase Shlomo Moussaieff Collection, after 108 years, discussed elsewhere in cost to our members. one of the richest assemblages of in this issue in an article by John Happy holidays to you all and best Ennion’s masterpieces in the world. Kohut, was a sad note in the midst of wishes for 2012 The remaining vessels in the collec- the celebratory activities. At the NAGC Board meeting held Ken Depew, President tion, which are not inscribed with during the Seminar John had a more Ennion’s name, were most likely positive report as Treasurer on an Dan Dailey Exhibition produced in his workshop. increase in income that reversed some Ennion worked as a glassmaker Beginning February 18 through June years of stagnant or declining rev- about 1 to 50 A.D. His signature is enues. Based on the positive reaction 3, 2012 Dan Dailey: Working Method famous from over thirty flourishing to the description of the May 16-19, is a retrospective exhibition with a pieces, and many other works are 2012 NAGC Seminar in Harrison- particular focus on the various meth- attributed to him on a basement of burg, VA published in the last issue of ods and style. Ennion combined a ground- the Glass Shards, we fully expect to techniques breaking technique of floating potion continue this positive trend through employed vessels into molds. This new routine the coming year. A registration pack- by glass authorised a vessel and a emblem to age will be mailed to all members in artist Dan be combined during a same time and January, and the registration form will Dailey available a origination of mixed cop- be posted on the website as soon as over his ies of a same vessel. Ennion’s clear, it is available. Members planning to 40-year accurate designs heed his work; he attend may wish to make early hotel career. also minimized a prominence of a reservations at the Courtyard Mar- Dailey, lines caused by a seams in a mold. riott Harrisonburg (540) 432-3031. A the first block of rooms has been set aside at graduate the special rate of $79 per night (plus student of taxes), including breakfast. Remem- Dale Chi- ber to mention the “National Ameri- Rocky Mountain Goat, 1997 huly, has can Glass Club” when you make your pursued reservation. his own unique voice in glass, from We have recently published a new his singular work in antique Vitrolite NAGC membership brochure. Direc- tor Bill Thomas has some extra copies sheet glass to complex constructions available and would be happy to send of blown glass and metal. By pairing some to any of our dealer-members each work with the very drawings and who are willing to distribute them at models used in planning and produc- shows. We appreciate those members tion, as well as images and video of who have already offered to do so. Dailey and his team at work, this Jim also has an electronic copy of our exhibition endeavors to pull back the Membership Directory available for curtain on the incredible choreography those members who wish to have it in of technique and vision that make this format. contemporary glass one of the most We have recently received a gener- demanding, exciting, and unparalleled ous Memorial Fund donation from art forms today.

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