In 1991, I wrote Svenskt Konstglas. It was an exorbitantly expensive coffee-table book, designed to make: 1. Myself rich (enough to embark on my all-those-things-a-man-should-have-done project), and 2. My fellow Swedes aware that Orrefors art glass 1925 – 1950 (apart from the Vikings’ wood and silver artefacts) is the only thing we Swedes have ever excelled at, at least undisputedly, when it comes to arts and crafts.. VIDEO
Although the book failed to inspire the Swedes to better appreciate this aspect of their cultural heritage — a particularly fine piece sold at auction is still likely to be exported abroad and fetch a (in my opinion) ludicrously low price, the book did succeed in fulfilling its other purpose; it became popular, and I have now begun working on a new edition because:
- My book Svenskt Konstglas, published in 1991, gained popularity, and the fact that it (in its poshest version) still occasionally fetches close to $200 in the second-hand market suggests that an upgraded version could find some demand.
- Some of Svenskt Konstglas' appeal allegedly arises from the book's narrative style – in parts, it resembles a work of fiction – and writing fiction is precisely what its author has devoted himself to for the last 20 years.
- Much of what is stated in the original text is no longer valid, particularly the information regarding auction prices, which requires updating. The Swedish art glass market has undergone significant changes; glass not mentioned in the book has gained popularity, while some previously in demand has been overlooked. Therefore, collectors, investors, and auctioneers interested in Swedish glass would benefit from more recent information.
- Stockholm’s Auktionsverk has successfully conducted an auction of “The Crawford Collection” and then "A New York Museum Collection," and they have since sold several pieces at prices suggesting that interest may be increasing. This appears to be corroborated by renewed interest in Swedish glass from abroad, and good prices have been reported from Wrights Auctions (Chicago), Christie's (London), and Phillips de Pury & Co. (London). It is possible that at least one of these auction houses may be interested in some form of collaboration.
In light of this context, as I embark on e-publishing with my father, I considered that creating an improved and updated version of Svenskt Konstglas – incorporating new photographs, updated pricing information, fresh narratives, and suggested new trends/artists to consider investing in – could be a worthwhile endeavour. I have commenced this project with the intention of keeping as many options as possible open.
- Firstly, I ensured that I owned all the rights to my book, Svenskt Konstglas.
- I then scanned the book and "OCRed" it, separating the text from the illustrations.
- Next, I began restoring Svenskt Konstglas to its original state, now as a digital book, while correcting mistakes, eliminating nonsense, and making improvements where they are obvious or necessary, yet always maintaining the page breaks to allow for the possibility of a new printed “original but improved” edition. I am currently in this process (in fact, right now I'm pausing), and once I finish (should that ever occur), I intend to set it aside as "an improved digital version of Svenskt Konstglasin Swedish," ready to be converted into various possible formats.
- Once this is done, should I receive interest from a publisher, I intend to update much of the text and photographs with new material and bring everything up to date by addressing the quarter of a century that has passed since Svenskt Konstglas was published.
Although the book failed to inspire the Swedes to better appreciate this aspect of their cultural heritage — a particularly fine piece sold at auction is still likely to be exported abroad and fetch a (in my opinion) ludicrously low price, the book did succeed in fulfilling its other purpose; it became popular, and I have now begun working on a new edition because:
- My book Svenskt Konstglas, published in 1991, gained popularity, and the fact that it (in its poshest version) still occasionally fetches close to $200 in the second-hand market suggests that an upgraded version could find some demand.
- Some of Svenskt Konstglas' appeal allegedly arises from the book's narrative style – in parts, it resembles a work of fiction – and writing fiction is precisely what its author has devoted himself to for the last 20 years.
- Much of what is stated in the original text is no longer valid, particularly the information regarding auction prices, which requires updating. The Swedish art glass market has undergone significant changes; glass not mentioned in the book has gained popularity, while some previously in demand has been overlooked. Therefore, collectors, investors, and auctioneers interested in Swedish glass would benefit from more recent information.
- Stockholm’s Auktionsverk has successfully conducted an auction of “The Crawford Collection” and then "A New York Museum Collection," and they have since sold several pieces at prices suggesting that interest may be increasing. This appears to be corroborated by renewed interest in Swedish glass from abroad, and good prices have been reported from Wrights Auctions (Chicago), Christie's (London), and Phillips de Pury & Co. (London). It is possible that at least one of these auction houses may be interested in some form of collaboration.
In light of this context, as I embark on e-publishing with my father, I considered that creating an improved and updated version of Svenskt Konstglas – incorporating new photographs, updated pricing information, fresh narratives, and suggested new trends/artists to consider investing in – could be a worthwhile endeavour. I have commenced this project with the intention of keeping as many options as possible open. View Collection