'20th Century British Glass' by Charles Hajdamach

[Anne]

'20th Century British Glass' by Charles Hajdamach, (the sister volume to 'British Glass, 1800-1914')

This important work contains over 900 photographs, the majority of which show items from private and public collections and are published for the first time. An exhaustive study of twentieth century glass ranging from the Art Nouveau period through to the Studio Movement and beyond, this is the essential guide for all, from the beginner through to the museum curator, the designer and the social historian.

(http://www.cambridgeglassfair.com/Images/20thcenturyBritishGlass.jpg)

[jakgene]

HI - I am thinking of buying  a copy of this book. I already have Millers 20th C Glass Andy McConnell, so would appreciate any comments from anyone who has seen inside it as to whether it is worth buying the Charles Hajdamach book aswell  Thanks, Jackie, West Oz.

[Bernard C]

Jackie — Yes, unreservedly.   It is superb.   And it's written in proper, grammatical, correctly spelled and punctuated British English, so it's not only useful but also a pleasure to read, unlike many modern books on British glass.   Unfortunately it's too heavy to read in the bath, where I'm currently reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

I haven't yet found any errors, which is remarkable and most unusual.   I thought I'd found one a few days ago, but a colleague explained that the author had finished that particular chapter about four years ago, when it wasn't an error but a future update.   However it would be useful for such a large book for Charles to date chapters or sections in some way, as the book's future value lies in it providing a fixed reference point at one or several known moments in time, to which we can add updates as new information emerges.

Two examples of how it has proved useful:

• I bought an unsigned piece of glass at an antiques centre about two weeks ago that I identified from a photograph in the book.   The margin on that one purchase will pay for the book.
• Two days ago I looked up Sigmund Pollitzer (1930s designer) on the web.   All I found was a wall plaque in the V&A with a few brief notes.   There are pages on him in Charles' book!

I hope that helps.

Bernard C.  

[jakgene]

Thanks Bernard - advice much appreciated. Off I trot via the Amazon then....

Jackie

[Bernard C]

Jackie — don't forget to check your local bookshop, where it might be better value because of the high shipping costs, and also it's not your problem if it's damaged in transit.

Bernard C.  

[jakgene]

Thanks Bernard. Books are something that is expensive over here - protection of local product I think. I have found in the past it is always cheaper for anything out of the ordinary run of paperbacks, to buy from Amazon US , shipping rates are reasonable and the exchange rate for Aus $$ is very favourable at present - almost 1 -1 with US $. When I bought the Millers guide I saved about $30 on local bookshop price, even after postage.

regards

Jackie
West Oz

[Lustrousstone]

It's not totally error-free: Ed Iglehart is placed firmly in the wrong country, he lives on Scotland not Cumbria; there's some Chance glass that's not Chance; Allan Scott's name is spelt wrong.

But it is a great book.

[chopin-liszt]

And a bit of glass described as Isle of Wight [Studio Glass], is Mdina. The "white vase with brown trailing", far left, p.420.

[jakgene]

Thanks for those tips - I will keep the info and put it in those pages when my copy comes.

much appreciated  :D

JAK

[Lustrousstone]

Page 207 bottom,Harlequin set, not Chance

[Paul S.]

I picked up (as in held) a copy when I was in the V. & A. last week.    Not that I would buy a copy from there - too pricey by half, but was staggered at the heft and weight of the book.    This is going to be serious wrist/arm ache reading as Bernard said, although don't think I will chance dropping it in the bath.   As an amateur bookbinder of some years standing, my opinion is that the book is too large/heavy as a single volume, although I appreciate we all want the maximum information as soon as possible, and we don't like to wait.   I would far rather have had two volumes  -  whether breaking the century in two equal halves or whatever is unimportant  -  but almost anything to lessen the strain on the spine (of the book, not the reader, although on reflection it might be the other way round), and locating a reference in smaller books is always a lot easier.   All a case of economics in the world of printing and modern publishing I guess.    Suppose I could always re-bind the book in two parts - when I have the time (when I'm not collecting glass that is)      I still don't actually have the book, might have to wait for it as a Christmas present.

[David E]

Charles did tell me that they were considering a 2-volume set in a slip case, at some stage. Personally I agree that would have been a better approach.

Interesting to hear you do bookbinding. I may be in touch...