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WHAT more can I add that has not already been said by the
great and good in the glass world and cannily published here on the
back page? "...Definitive work on the subject...", "worthwhile
insight into a subject previously overlooked by connoisseurs...",
"authoritative work...", "standard book on the subject for the next
generation...", "serious contribution to the subject..", and
"..like fine wine, this book is both rich and fruity." And it's all
true.
It's taken Andy seven years to exhaustively research and
write The Decanter, and this from a standing
start of dealing in glass and having his own collection. Some of it
has been a hard slog, but it has paid off as this is one of the
strongest and most stylish of titles to come out of the Antique
Collectors' Club. As Martin Mortimer of Delomosne & Son, says
in his foreword: "..the best evidence of the author's determination
and persistence is the enormous range of pieces discussed, over
2,250 illustrated."
The contents list, with its 64 subject chapters gives an
idea of the range and depth covered, cleverly including Continental
and American examples in order to attract a more global market. So,
just as a taster we have The First English Cut-Glass,
The Glass Excise Tax 1745, 18th Century Engraving, 18th century
Enamelling, The Rise of the European Decanter, The Prussian
Decanter, Georgian Wine and Dessert Services, American
Decanters.... and The Development of the
Decanter in the 19th Century. So, we have Early
Victorian Decanters, Victorian Engraving, Later Victorian
Infuenceand The Rehabilitation of Victorian
Glass. There's Victorian Gothic, The Webb
Dynasty, Whisky Decanters, Champagne Decanters, Lobmeyr, Moser and
Later Bohemian Decanters, Later French Decanters, Maker
Attribution, 20th Century Decanters and
Buying Antique Decanters. In amongst five appendices is
the Evolution of Decanter Shapes and
a Wages Index 1640-1914.
This is a big project that handles a great depth knowledge
with journalistic flair. This title ranks as
the book on the subject, satisfyingly so as Andy always
said that he wanted the ACC to publish his book feeling that they
were the only publishers who commanded the respect of his peers. As
a journalist, Andy knows what makes a book a good read, and some of
that is in its variety.
The Decanter is full of cracking pictures, many from Andy's
own collection, with cartoons, advertisements, catalogue
illustations, pattern book illustrations and so on. The picture
captions too are as lengthy as they are detailed. This is a well
written book with an easy flowing style and it ranks alongside two
ACC classics, 18th Century English Drinking
Glasses and The Jacobites and their
Drinking Glasses. A vinous quote of this book could be
"...First growth, well made and long on flavour...should keep for
decades...".