Back from Caithness, a new book coming…

It’s not that I’ve been lazy since the New Year (doesn’t that seem like a long time ago?!) with my blog. It’s just that my time has been completely taken up with my next book – on Caithness Glass.
Although planning started over two years ago, for various reasons I wasn’t able to start it properly until late last year. It then had to be produced to a very tight schedule, meaning that every weekend and evening so far this year has been spent, researching, digesting information, typing, and tweaking. A research trip to Perth was also nearly life-threatening as I tried not to come off the road in the ice whilst criss-crossing snow bound Scotland seeking out ex-designers, glassmakers, and key figures. The things I do for glass!
I’m delighted to say that it’s now nearly finished, with only a few hurdles to go. I finished the cover yesterday, and you can see it below. The back cover sums up the contents of the book the best by saying,
Since it was founded in 1961, Caithness Glass has become renowned across the world. For over four decades, it has fulfilled the founders’ original aims of providing employment in rural Scotland, and producing high quality glassware in a modern, contemporary style. Although much has been published about the company’s paperweights, until now very little has been known about the decorative and tableware designs that built and maintained the company’s reputation.
Illustrated with over 200 specially commissioned full colour photographs, this is the first publication to bring together and examine the Scandinavian inspired designs of the 1960s & 70s, engraved and sandblasted ranges, and the highly appealing, often complex, designs produced from the 1980s onwards. A specially written introduction covers the history of the company, puts designs in context, and also looks at the life and work of co–founder and first designer Domhnall ÓBroin.”
As ever, it has been produced to accompany an exhibition of glass from the Graham Cooley Collection, and this year also sees the 50th anniversary of the the company being founded. From now until April 24th, you can see the exhibition at Broadfield House Glass Museum near Stourbridge, and from 7th May-1st October, you can see it at the Perth Museum & Art Gallery. Entry to both museums is free.
My bookalogue will be launched at a dedicated event at Broadfield House on Saturday 12th March, hosted by the Glass Association and the Friends of Broadfield House. Graham Cooley, the owner of the collection, will be talking about Caithness Glass, and I’ll be giving a talk on my ‘Top Ten’ favourite designs in 20thC glass. Graham and I will then give a special guided tour of the exhibition. Find out how you can attend by visiting the Glass Association‘s website.
From 15th March, my 128page bookalogue will be available to order from all bookshops, or direct from my website, at a cost of £20 plus postage and packing. Producing it has been quite a journey, and I hope you’ll enjoy reading about this hot new area in 20thC glass.

 

domhnall domnall obroin o’broin caithness glass colin terris gordon hendry helen mcdonald macdonald alastair macintosh alistair mcintosh paperweight engraved waterford sandblasted goblet morven decanter canisbay scaraben cased vases bowls glenisla strathspey tranquillity peter and the wolf cadenza oban glass charles orr john ritchie art nouveau art deco wick harrowhill peter holmes peter fuin franco toffolo rondo braemore allegro collectable glass collectible lochshiel alchemy david gulland denis mann xanadu salome autumn leaves shakespeare set warbler oriental lily

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