Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. > Glass Book Reviews

recommended Books to get started

<< < (2/3) > >>

Bernard C:
Cathy,

I first noticed the current production on Murano of old designs in Nigel's book.   The caption to his Venini "Occhi" vases indicates that the original examples from c.1960 are worth four times the 1990s examples.   So there must be some way of telling them apart.   Unfortunately Nigel does not divulge this rather essential snippet of information.

My experience on Murano indicates that a good number of successful old designs are being made today.   There is nothing wrong with that, after all Edinburgh Crystal must have been making their Thistle pattern glasses and decanters for 150 years or more.   It does, however, leave collectors in rather a difficult situation if they are expected to pay a hefty premium on an "antique" that could have been made only a few weeks before.

I bought my three pieces very cheaply.   This gives me the flexibility to price and sell them as purely attractive, interesting and decorative pieces.   Obviously it would be nice and more profitable if I can get them accurately attributed and charge an appropriate premium to the specialist collector.   But if not, I will not have lost out.   It will be a long time before I am confident enough to pay really serious money for most examples of Murano or Murano-type glass.  ... although I was sorely tempted by a jaw-dropping sommerso vase last week - but that's another story.

Bernard C.  8)

paradisetrader:
Best Value and overall usefulness : Factory Glass
(but covers more than Murano)

For Murano history, glassmaking techniques, the Italian names of techniques and effects and the names and dates of designers and companies (very complex) : Murano Magic

Most helpful for Identification & Styles: Leslie Pina's Italian Glass Century 20

Also good for styles, techniques, designers and companies (but in less detail and not only Murano): Leslie Pinas's Fifties Glass

Anonymous:
I'm a little hesitant to get the Leslie pina books because of accuracy. I'm a Blenko collector and the pina books I have on Blenko are full of mis-identification. This makes is hard for new collectors to understand. They tend to think that if it's in the book it must be correct. Is this the case with her other books or do they have the right information in them?

Cathy

Bernard C:
Cathy:

I assume all books are out of date as soon as the author sends the finished work to his or her publisher.   Also the publisher can introduce some interesting errors, like the innovative and most descriptive word "knobberly" in Nigel's book for a style of Whitefriars glass, now in common use (do a search on eBay - there is at least one there now).

I get started with the lightly pencilled notes on my first reading.   It's what the margins are for.

Peter:

Thanks for your recommendations.   I have to buy some books.

Bernard C.  8)

glasswizard:
Cathy

I have found the Pina books invaluable. Her book on Fratelli Toso has been a wonderful addition to my Library. You will find that almost all books contain errors, that is the nature of research, what is true today becomes an error tomorrow.
As to her books on Blenko, have you heard of her book, "Blenko Catalogs, Then and Now"  That has proved the best for me.

Terry in Iowa

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page