Howard Seufer presents ...
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HOWARD SEUFER (b1927, d2017) Howard Seufer began working at the Fenton Art Glass Company in 1966, when he became part of the Management Team as Methods Engineer. His knowledge of glass, its production and the context in which it was made, was extensive. Howard was well known for his many, wonderful educational presentations, in which he combined humour with knowledge. He was also a very skilled and experienced photographer and videographer. Videos filmed and narrated by Howard Seufer. © Copyright Marty Seufer.
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Introduction to the Videos by Marty Seufer: These videos that you are about to watch are part of a massive collection of tapes my father, Howard Seufer, took over a ten year period. They were mainly used as supporting documentation for talks he would soon give to many of the glass clubs across the country. Dad LOVED Carnival Glass. I can remember being a kid in the 60's when dad would bring home Carnival pieces he had purchased at the factory. At the time I could not understand the attraction to Carnival, but thanks to years of exposure to it, I have grown to have that same love of Carnival.
Everything dad did in the creation of these videos and all the talks he gave on behalf of Fenton Art Glass were with the sole purpose of education. More than once he stressed to me the importance of recording history correctly.
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Crimping and Shaping
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Various crimping devices were "tools of the trade" used, and in some cases, specifically designed by Fenton to create the hand-finishing that makes Carnival Glass pieces unique. Simple hand tools (such as paddles), static hand and floor crimping tools and complex mechanical devices (foot or air operated) all played a part in making Fenton’s wonderful finished edge treatments. In this video, Howard shows a selection of these tools being used individually and in combination – the foot-operated crimps are amazing to see in operation. The video was filmed c 2000 * |
A Fenton foot-operated crimping tool.
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* As Howard filmed this video in c 2000, the crimping tools, devices and techniques used in the factory are modern versions. Nevertheless, some of them would be immediately recognisable to the Classic Carnival glassworkers, and others have evolved over time from the earlier versions that were in use in the early Classic years. For his many education talks, Howard often produced illustrative handouts, and we are delighted to be able to show one of these that explains the use (and terminology) of crimping tools. We were also delighted to be given permission by the Fenton Family and Fenton Art Glass Company, to show pictures of a whole selection of their crimping tools. Here is the link: Crimping Tools of the Trade.
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Making a Swung Vase at Fenton
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Vase moulds are relatively short and stubby in height (generally 4" to 6" or 7"). When the hot vase was taken out of the mould, the base was held in a tool called a snap. The vase was then reheated in the glory hole, so that the glass became elastic and malleable, and whilst still hot, the glassmaker would then swing the vase, stretching it out to its intended finished height. The final height would depend on various factors, such as the temperature and elasticity of the glass, and the swinging effort applied by the glassmaker. All 3 vases shown (right) are Fenton's Nine Sixteen vase, and all swung from the same mould! The term “swung vase” refers to the swinging motion used by the glassmaker – and it’s hard to imagine this fascinating process. But now you can see it for yourself, in Howard’s video clip. Watch as a short vase gets longer and longer with each swing! |
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Frank Fenton Discusses Carnival Glass.
These videos are from a longer video that Howard recorded in August 2004 for one of the glass clubs. Howard interviews the late Frank Fenton in the Fenton Museum and elsewhere in the factory. Frank passed away in August 2005, just a year after the master video was made.
Howard thought the videos were important enough that he made 3 copies. He did not make even one backup of any other video. I'm sure it was important to him that the message comes directly from Frank Fenton himself. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
These videos are from a longer video that Howard recorded in August 2004 for one of the glass clubs. Howard interviews the late Frank Fenton in the Fenton Museum and elsewhere in the factory. Frank passed away in August 2005, just a year after the master video was made.
Howard thought the videos were important enough that he made 3 copies. He did not make even one backup of any other video. I'm sure it was important to him that the message comes directly from Frank Fenton himself. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
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#4 Frank Fenton talks about Red Carnival, moulds & more
Watch the video (6 minutes)
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Fenton was the acknowledged “master” of red Carnival Glass, and we hear Frank and Howard chatting about how and when this distinctive colour was made. In the Fenton Museum, Frank also explains the wizardry of moulds, and we are privileged to go inside one of his amazing “back rooms”. |
#3 Frank Fenton talks about
Vases & Lettered Pieces 
Watch the video (6 minutes)
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Vases – big, small, swung and “as pressed” – Frank and Howard show a selection of pieces that will take your breath away. “Lettered” pieces - discover just how much Fenton charged the customer for those sought-after advertising plates, “back-in-the-day”. |
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#1 Frank Fenton talks about
Orange Tree 
Watch the video (6 minutes)
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Sea Mist Green Carnival Plate Production at Fenton
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This video was filmed and presented by Howard Seufer. It shows the end-to-end production, at Fenton Art Glass Company, of a unique piece of Carnival Glass. The action took place on Friday, September 4th 1998, just after four in the afternoon, when Fenton began to produce the first “Woodsland Pine” commemorative plate.
Based on information provided at the time by Howard Seufer, a team of ten men were involved with the actual glass production, personally overseen by Frank M. Fenton, who also took a special interest in the designing of the whimsies. Jim Boyd was the gatherer and Harvey Cottrill was the presser. Woody Patterson was the foreman who put the handles on the whimsies and assisted Frank M. Fenton with the whimsey list. Earl Cuthbert was the finisher on the plate and on some of the whimsies. The 370 plates and 31 whimsies were made in Sea Mist Green Carnival, and some of the whimsies were later hand painted to further enhance the design. |
Howard Seufer’s son, Marty, saw the whole operation and remarked “I got a real ‘behind the scenes’ look at glass making. It did not take much imagination to picture the old Carnival Glass being made at the turn of the century. I was stunned to see the pride and workmanship the Fenton employees put into the effort.” The “Woodsland Pine” pattern was designed by Glen Thistlewood; the plaster cast of the design was prepared in the Fenton Mould Shop and the metal plunger (mould) was cut by the Island Mould Company. The exterior pattern for this first production was the “Open Rose” design that Fenton had previously used on their “Peacock & Dahlia” plate. All subsequent production of the “Woodsland Pine” had the Thistlewood exterior pattern “Flowers of the World”.
The Fenton ‘Special Order Form’ for this piece was dated June 26th. 1998. The description on the form was ‘7376 plate, wwwcga logo'.