#rakow library

Harvey K. Littleton, one of the pioneers of the American Studio Glass movement, grew up in Corning, NY where his father worked as a scientist for Corning Incorporated. Littleton also pioneered vitreography, which involves using glass to make prints on paper. In this vitreograph, you can see the Fallbrook glass factory that used to be on Tioga Avenue in Corning, NY.  

Fallbrook [art original], Harvey K. Littleton, 1993. CMGL 126582.

We’re ready for Halloween at the Rakow Library! Local glassmaker Frederick Carder sent this delightfully spooky postcard to his son, Cyril, for Halloween 1916. Postcard from Frederick Carder to Cyril Carder, 1916. Frederick Carder Papers. MS0017.  

Sometimes hot glass is not the final creation. Ann Gant uses pyrography, paper burned by glass, to create a “vessel” with two handles on cotton rag paper. The hot glass is used as a stamp by pressing onto wet paper to make imprints that can never be reproduced again, as the glass is discarded after making its distinctive mark.

Drawing #3 [art original], Anne Gant, 2010. CMGL 115957.

We always love seeing these pictures from the height of cut glass production in the Crystal City! In 1903, Thomas Hawkes, the founder of local cut glass firm T. G Hawkes & Co., recruited English glassmaker Frederick Carder to establish Steuben Glass Works in Corning, NY. This photo shows Thomas’ son, Samuel, and Frederick Carder in front of Steuben Glass Works the year it was founded. The Rakow Library digitized this photo from a negative lent to us by Jane Levatino, who was Samuel Hawkes’ granddaughter. 

[Frederick Carder and Samuel Hawkes in front of Steuben Glass Works office] [picture]., Corning, NY, 1903. CMGL 112278.

For those around the world celebrating today, you may been eating festive holiday foods made in Pyrex dishes. From its inception in 1918, Pyrex has always been a popular holiday gift and Pyrex promoted itself during the holiday season to both consumers and store owners. In fall 1944, Pyrex sent out this ad to stores that showcases the holiday displays Pyrex could provide to stores to help sell more Pyrex. 

Pyrex ware Christmas promotion [electronic resource]: to make your store…gift headquarters, Corning Glass Works, Corning, NY, 1944. Gift of digital image; World Kitchen, LLC; 2015. CMGL 142569.