Important Tiffany and Lalique Archives Now Accessible to Researchers, Public

CORNING, N.Y.

:The Juliette K. and Leonard S. Rakow Research Library of The Corning Museum of Glass has acquired two significant collections of archival materials related to the history of Tiffany Studios and the glassmaker Lalique.

In June 2004, the museum purchased at auction at Christie's a collection of materials belonging to Arthur J. and Leslie H. Nash, relating to their work as master glassmakers for Tiffany Studios in Corona, N.Y., in the early 1900s.

Arthur Nash developed the unique recipe for Tiffany's signature Favrile glass. The collection includes notebooks and journals containing the recipe, which was never shared with anyone, including Louis Comfort Tiffany himself. The recipe is in code, and among the documents is Nash's "key" to the code. In addition, the archive contains never-before-published letters and handwritten notes that provide insight into the complex behind-the-scenes relationship of the Nashes with Louis Comfort Tiffany.

"The Nash archive provides a precious insight into the manufacture of Tiffany's innovative glass," said Dr David Whitehouse, the museum's director. "The Nashes' formulas take their place alongside other Nineteenth and Twentieth Century glassmakers' recipe books in the museum's Rakow Library."

Last November, the museum purchased a large archive of Lalique materials, including a portion of the private archives of Mary Lou and Glenn Utt, two of the world's leading collectors of Lalique glass and related documents, and authors of the book Lalique Perfume Bottles. Among the collection are hundreds of photographs, many unpublished, and rare documentary material relating to the history of Lalique's famous designs for the fragrance industry.

"This archive is the result of over four decades of collecting and enthusiasm and it presents a unique opportunity for further research in this area," said Whitehouse.

Both archives are housed at The Rakow Research Library of The Corning Museum of Glass. Microfilms of the Nash collection will be available to the public beginning this month, either at The Rakow Library or through interlibrary loan (contact ill@cmog.org).

Parts of the Utt archive may be viewed on-site by appointment. Call 607-974-8649 or email rakow@cmog.org for more details.