VIOLETS
EMPIRE
By Bert Kennedy
As Most Morgantown collectors know, there is precious little information on
Morgantown designers. We do know a little about J.C. Bragdon, an etching
designer for both Morgantown and Cambridge. We do know a little about August
Christoph, a mold maker and designer. We do know a little about John Funfrock,
glass designer and mold maker who taught August his trade. But how many of us
have ever heard of Violet Dorthea Shumaker? Not many of us I bet.
All of this information on Morgantown designer Violet D. Shumaker came to me
through the internet back in September of 2001. Susan Barr, from Pennsylvania
contacted me about purchasing two Morgantown stems. She wanted to purchase an
example of line 7660, Empire, and line 7673, Lexington. I asked why she was
interested in these two Morgantown stems. Susan went on to explain that her
Aunt Violet, had designed these stems back in the 30's. Susan told me that
Violet did not have the money to buy the stems back in the thirties when she
had designed them for Morgantown Glass. Being the curious sort, I asked how
she knew that her Aunt Violet had designed these stems. Susan went on to
explain that Violet had entered a design contest while she was a student at
Philadelphia school of design for women. Susan said she would mail me the
documents and I told her I would search through the boxes for an example of
the stems her Aunt Violet had designed.
Total excitement overtook me when I opened up the information packet from
Susan. It contained the following items:
1. A photo of Violet Dorthea Shumaker as she looked in 1931.
2. A small booklet titled Enchanting glassware for the Modern Home
3. A copy of Ruby glassware that included a stem designed by Violet.
4. A copy of the George Dougherty letter dated Dec. 13, 1935.
5. An account of Violets career
All of the items listed above came to me courtesy of Susan Barr, Violets
niece, and Violets daughter, Judy Suchy. Additionally, Aniceta Zamborsky
provided me with some documentation on the Design school and a photo-copy of
the stems designed by the students at the Philadelphia school. The files she
shared with me were provided to her by Jerry Gallagher some years back. When
we share the piece we have with each other the puzzle comes together quickly.
Please notice in the photo that some of the stems were filament types.
Big "THANKS" for all the information provided by these "Rare
Glass Ladies."
Here is a photo of the stems design by the students for the contest.
Can you see the fancy feet on the stems? I can see stem 7664 Queen Ann
filament goblet, a Wingfield etched filament Empire goblet, a Paragon goblet
with frosted stem, Fairwin etched Lexington goblet and footed tumbler, a 7675
Paula filament goblet and 7685 1/2 Ashcroft, one vase and a few other
tumblers. All these items were designed by students at the Philadelphia
school. From this picture we can see that the wondrous filament stems were the
product of the rich imagination of these student designers. Can you imagine
that some of Morgantown's best know and highly collected stems were designed
by students that could not afford to buy the stems they had designed?
As classes opened for the 87th year on October 1, 1931 at the Philadelphia
school of design for women, students were greeted with over crowded classes,
higher tuition fees, and many new challenges for scholarships and design
contest. One such contest was a new prize competition offered in design by a
Morgantown, West Virginia glass Manufacturer sponsored by George Dougherty.
Mr. Dougherty had become interested in the school when his daughter registered
in Fashion classes. Mr. Dougherty went to the school to layout the rules of
the contest and the guidelines for the project that would include the
technical side of the design as it related to the mass production of elegant
glassware.
At this time Violet was a Junior at the school. 1931
Violet entered and won first prize for two years running. Her winning designs
for her Junior and Senior years were the 7673 Lexington and 7660 Empire stems.
As a result of an inquiry by the family in December of 1935, George Dougherty
mailed this response showing the two winning stems Violet had designed.
What a great reference for collectors of today. Not
only a letter of documentation for the designer but a hand drawn version of
the winning stems by Mr. Dougherty.
The stems that Violet could not afford to buy even though she was the designer
were priced at $6.00 to $12.00 per dozen. I hope we value the work she did for
us as Morgantown collectors. Violets family now has an example of the stems. I
sent them a Lexington Goblet with Eileen etch and a Ritz Blue Champagne from
the Empire line to be a part of Violets Empire.
Both stems are wonderful examples of the design imagination of Violet and
skill of the workers at Morgantown. It is great to know that these stems were
designed by "Violet Dorthea Shumaker" or later "Sally
Armbruster". .
One other item that the family sent, but that was not directly related to the
stem design, is a small booklet showing many of Morgantown's glass products of
the 30's. Here is the front page of a booklet that was included in the
information packet from Susan Barr.
The booklet is full of
wonderful Morgantown glass. And now we know a little more about one of the
designers of that wondrous glassware. I hope you have enjoyed the article. It
was a great honor to share this new information with all Morgantown
collectors.
Below is a link to a summary of
Violet's career…..