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Hello Fellow Glass Enthusiasts,
Are you feeling cheated or am I just being paranoid ?? Well certainly a little guilty if
nothing else. This letter is long overdue but as it is my life I guess am entitled to fill it with other things
even though my main passion is much the same as yours, so studio glass it is. My passions have been many and varied over the last 50+ years and maybe even 60 odd now coming to think of it! However
most of it has been filled with my love of contemporary design, as it used to be called, and in particular innovative studio
glass. So there you are. If you see us at a fair near you and you
want a long engaging conversation, and want to lose the will to live, just mention one or more glass makers! Before I get to the necessary bit (yes we do have some 'gems' to offer you) just thought
I ought to fill in on happenings over the last glorious 6 weeks or so. Actually it has been 10 weeks since your last letter.
OOPS! Please make particular note of the range descriptions in the Bon Bons Humbug / Sherbet Collection item
below. I have said before, and so won't repeat it in depth, this collection was the most baffling and confusing that we
as agents had to deal with. The range was expanded and changed in 1987 to include Sherbet black, Sherbet white,
Humbug black & Humbug white as well as Liquorice and Allsorts. Technically Sherbet & Humbug were all very interesting,
as my description will below will show, but so close in character that most of the time, when a customer placed an order,
I am ashamed to say we just guessed which was which and hoped for the best. I now know better but it took some studying
I can tell you.
Glass News
National Glass Collectors Fair Since the last letter we have had the Jewel in the Crown
of Glass fairs (not that they aren't all in their own way), The National Glass Collectors Fair. As usual a
very well organised, wonderful affair run by the doyens of the circuit Paul Bishop and Christina Glover at the Birmingham
Motor Cycle Museum. We had some absolute gems made especially for us and the Fair by Timothy Harris, including his version
of 'Crizzle Stone' and 'Jazz'. Those of you new to the fabulous and iconic pieces created by Tim's
father and my colleague and principle at the time, Michael Harris, will need to Google both item names or ask
me when you see me. As usual a fast and furious affair
with hardly a minute to draw breath with all our gems sold. If you really would like a piece of any of these iconic designs, all of which will be uniquely made
by Tim, please contact us to discuss. They are VERY special. Reflect : The London Glass Fair
Next in the round was a new fair in terms of venue but the second in the series, Reflect, The
London Glass Fair. Last time was two years ago in a wonderful, but not easy to get to, location nestling under London
Bridge at the beautiful premises of The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters
of Glass. It has been moved to Kensington Town Hall with easy access just off Kensington High Street. Great venue, well
supported by all the country's leading glass dealers and makers
Eastern European Glassmaking industry
Now, most of you may recall the
catastrophe written about in the last letter where I managed to wipe from the computer before saving('you can't
know what you don't know') a whole diatribe I had written on the Eastern block glass makers' demise. Well,
I still haven't rewritten it but have physically gone one better. Ann and I booked a trip to Prague, Budapest and
Vienna covering 9 days at the beginning of last month. Weather not good but what cities! It was meant to be a fact finding
mission as well and confirmed what I had gathered about glass making in the region previously known as
Bohemia. Apart from the few able to survive the withdrawal of communist subsidies supporting their industry, the rest
are all but gone or if they haven't they are certainly not in evidence. Yes, some iconic names in traditional glass
making still survive but most of those who were concentrating on new studio and art glass were not able to survive in
a free commercial world. Absolutely tragic as there were some really interesting, contemporary glass designs emerging. Now
all you see are Chinese products which, for all their burgeoning skills in the cheap and cheerful, do not have the same kudos
as, say, Beranek, Vizner or Zemek amongst many others too numerous to mention. Some will rise, Phoenix like no doubt,
so keep watching. Such historic traditions and skills don't deserve to die without trace . Anyway, apart from the VERY early mornings we loved the scenery, the architecture, the
trips and excursions all on and around the mighty river Danube - stunning. It included a pilgrimage to Vienna,
incidentally my Mother's birth place, and we came back with a few nice pieces of glass. After quizzing the odd retailer, and one in particular in Prague, we did not feel it was worth the effort to
make an excursion to Novy Bor which was the centre of the Czech Republic's glass making industry. As you can see our feet
haven't touched, hence my excuse for no letter. Not a bad excuse really ~ couldn't make it up could you?? So, apart from the odd County Fair we are still covering the country at Antique & Collectors Fairs
and will soon be at our only Scottish booking in August at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston. All things at the Studio (Isle of Wight Studio Glass) are going on as nature, and the tourist season,
intended. By the way, if any of
you need a fabulous comprehensive IoWSG catalogue they are available just for the asking. It includes history and
background as well as comprehensive illustrations, mail order form and price list. Actually one for the avid collector of
studio historical ephemera too. Free of charge (hate this new wave description of 'for free'. Didn't
it used to be 'free' or 'for nothing ?? What an old git I have become !!) So contact us 01458 443694 or the Studio 01983 853526 to get your copy - FREE !! NOW ~ Some Pretty Pictures !!
 Yes it DOES look as though it is missing its stopper. But I can categorically assure
you it is not ! The proof? Look at the image of the Mdina shop
shelves on page 24 of Mark Hill's book (Michael Harris:Mdina Glass & Isle of Wight Studio Glass) and there
on the bottom shelf 4th (or 5th!) from the extreme right is this piece and - surprise surprise - no stopper. Also very small
neck opening whereas stoppered vases tended to have fairly large openings. Q.E.D. ?? What a gem ! Description: Squat vase Maker : Mdina Glass Size : 6cm(2.5") high x 15cm(6")
diam. Date: C1970/1972 I.D. Marks: Concave ground & polished pontil Condition : Excellent Price: SOLD
 From the Bon Bons Collection '86~'93 BUT this shape and size made
in '89 ONLY. So something of a scarcity. Created
with the same incompatable mineral colour and compostion to create the spider web pattern as used in the most desirable
Firecracker range. However in this version it was created on a separate blown vessel ( also see the current
'Seascape Collection' from I. of W. S.G.) which was annealed, smashed and applied to the surface decoration
of the blown vessel. Very attractive in my opinion but not universally popular by shape. Hence short lived.
This was the largest of the two available in this shape.
Description: Liquorice
Bowl Large. Bon Bons Collection. Maker : I. of W. S.G. Size : 9.5cm(3.75") high x 12.5cm(5")dia. Date: '88 / '89 I.D. Marks: None Condition : Excellent Price: SOLD
 IoWSG New BonBons 1987 only. Sherbet/Humbug paperweight. An unlikely gem in that
it was not pretty but was unusual. Made in the same manner as Firecracker and Liquorice with incompatable powder to create
the spider webbing on the surface. It could not really be defined as Sherbet or Humbug Black or White as all other shapes
in those two ranges were vessels. Those had rims so could be identified a little more readily as being one or the other.
However having a white base colour made it more likely to be Humbug. This range was the most confusing to all and so was rationalised
very quickly to readily identifiable design finishes.
Description:
New Bon Bons Sherbet/Humbug Paperweight Maker : I. of W. S.G. Size : 6cm(2.5") dia Date: 1987 only I.D. Marks: Black triangle sticker Condition : Excellent Price: SOLD
As ever, our very best regards, Ron & Ann
Finally - as usual - please make
contact by any of the following ~ Phone : 07860
822666 mobile (best method) or 01458 443694 land line(includes messaging service). Please remember to check our fair dates on the website www.ArtiusGlass.co.uk if you are going to email as we will not be able to pick these up, often from the
day before, as we may be staying away until our return from the fair.
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