Chipman’s The Romance of Old Sandwich Glass, signed, 1930s letters, clipping

Characteristics: Chipman, Frank W. (1932), The Romance of Old Sandwich Glass, Sandwich Publishing Company Inc. – Blue hardcover showing some wear and an almost detached front board from spine (see photos for condition). Signed by the author: “Frank W Chipman, Sandwich, Mass.” with additional inscription “This book was purchased at M.W.V. Buyck Freund auction on October 22, 1972 by W. C. Scheib – Loudonville, NY”. A few inked notes through the text.

Provenance: Mrs. Mary Willard Vine Buyck / 1972 auction / W. C. Scheib

The book, which includes a section titled “Notable Collections”, comes with the following archive:

(a) A handwritten letter from Frank W. Chipman (two pages), dated 19 Dec. 33, addressed to Mrs. Buyck: “On my return from the New York Exhibition I found your very delightful letter […] I am asking to the publishers of American Collector to send you a copy of that fine new magazine devoted to ?? glass and other antiques …”

(b) A letter blind carbon copy by Mrs. Mary Willard Vine Buyck: “Since meeting you during the summer of 1933, I have been eager to have you come to Albany to speak…” at an unnamed Institute in Albany with a collection curated by a “Mr. Lauring Dunn” (likely Loring Dunn).

(c) A typed and signed reply by Grace E. Chipman, the author’s widow, dated June 18 1935, addressed to Mrs. Mary Willard Vine Buyck: “I regret to inform you that Mr. Chipman passed away on February 4^th, after a brief illness…”

(d) Newspaper clipping titled “Franck W. Chipman Dies, Sandwich Glass Expert” (with photo) about F.W. Chipman, the authority on rare Sandwich glass who was the son and grandson of Sandwich glass makers. The article reads: “His advice was sought by hundreds of collectors […] lovers of old glass brought their pieces to him for proof of their authenticity”. The newspaper article then describes the present book: “In 1932 Mr. Chipman compiled all available data on Sandwich glass and wrote the book ‘The Romance of Old Sandwich Glass,’ which won wide acclaim […] Antique collectors vied with one another to acquire as complete a collection as possible. Mr. Chipman was admittedly one of the best informed on the subject. In his book, which was hailed as ‘not just another book on old glass’, he unfolded a narrative that depicted early American life, and took the reader back to the days when the average home had one ‘best room,’ usually kept closed which contained all the choice pieces the home afforded. Painstakingly, Mr. Chipman traced the materials and manner in which the famous glass was made. He included a dictionary to enable collectors to determine when each piece was actually made…”

(e) Various documents: stamped envelopes, papers related to the 1972 auction.

Sandwich glass was produced in Sandwich, Massachusetts, by the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company. It was one of the earliest to produce pressed glass during the 19^th century. More information can be found at the dedicated Sandwich Glass Museum.

Mary Willard Vine Buyck (1888-1973), interior decorator and landscape architect, was active in art-related activities in New York State in the 1930s and 40s. Her portrait, oil on canvas, can be seen at: https://www.albanyinstitute.org/collection/details/mary-williard-vine-buyck-1888-1973

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