Totally Devoted to Carnival Glass
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A Tribute to Howard Seufer
by Glen and Stephen Thistlewood in association with Marty Seufer. “The more we share, the more we have” Leonard Nimoy.
Howard Seufer described the way we all learn about glass as “the freedom of knowledge” – and nobody was more free or more generous in passing on their knowledge than Howard Seufer. We met Howard in the mid-1990s at a Fenton Art Glass Collectors Convention in Williamstown – his knowledge of glass was phenomenal, but the thing that stood out about him was his friendly, warm personality, eager to help and always ready to laugh. Howard’s extensive knowledge of glass production and its wider context (including those who made the glass) was shared with many around the world, both during Howard’s time as Fenton’s Engineer and also in later years. His presentations at Carnival and other glass clubs are legendary, the support and help he gave to so many is immense. Howard breathed life into knowledge through humour and laughter. Right: Howard - showing his usual joviality - using a hotel trolley to transport metal moulds for his presentation to a Carnival Glass Convention in 2000. |
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The Freedom of Knowledge
Howard was also a skilled and experienced photographer. This, coupled with his knowledge and experience in glass production, as well as his access to the Fenton factory floor, enabled him to record – in both still pictures and film – many unique and amazing events over the years. In this NetworK Special, dedicated to Howard and courtesy of his son, Marty, we are honoured to bring this video to you featuring the production of a Carnival Glass commemorative.
Howard Seufer presents ...
Video: Sea Mist Green Carnival Glass Plate Production
Glassmaker: Fenton Art Glass Co., September 1998.
Copyright and Courtesy Marty Seufer, 2017
Howard was also a skilled and experienced photographer. This, coupled with his knowledge and experience in glass production, as well as his access to the Fenton factory floor, enabled him to record – in both still pictures and film – many unique and amazing events over the years. In this NetworK Special, dedicated to Howard and courtesy of his son, Marty, we are honoured to bring this video to you featuring the production of a Carnival Glass commemorative.
Howard Seufer presents ...
Video: Sea Mist Green Carnival Glass Plate Production
Glassmaker: Fenton Art Glass Co., September 1998.
Copyright and Courtesy Marty Seufer, 2017
Above: the first “Woodsland Pine” plate in Sea Mist Green Carnival.
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Above: a whimsey handled nappy, as seen in the video
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It’s a joy to watch this superb video! We are deeply grateful to Howard’s son, Marty (you see him in the video) for sharing it with us. Click on the picture on the right to visit "Howard Seufer presents ... " and see an amazing video of Carnival Glass being created by the expert glassmakers at Fenton. Howard Seufer filmed the entire production of the piece, from end to end. In this astonishing video that brilliantly records a unique part of Carnival Glass history, Howard shows us the entire process in close-up action - from the hot metal (molten glass) stage, through the pressing, iridising, shaping and cooling and on to the final selection. The choreography of the teamwork is wonderful, overseen by Frank Fenton, and narrated and recorded for posterity by Howard. The Story Behind the Glass: In 1998, the Fenton Art Glass Company produced the very first, limited edition run of this Carnival Glass commemorative plate. It was made for the Woodsland World Wide Carnival Glass Association club (which sadly closed in March, 2016). The club’s members had raised the money to have a plunger made (the plunger is the part of a metal mould that makes the interior pattern on the glass). It featured the "Woodsland Pine" - which was designed for the club by Glen Thistlewood. |
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Howard Seufer was born on August 28, 1927 and sadly passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2017.
Howard worked at Fenton Art Glass Company as their engineer, for many years.
Howard worked at Fenton Art Glass Company as their engineer, for many years.
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