Greetings all!

I am happy to announce that Vol. 23 of *Beads: Journal of the Society of
Bead Researchers *will shortly be rolling off the presses. This is a
special monograph issue which reprints the English portion of Waltraud
Neuwirth’s tome, *Beads from Gablonz: Historicism, Art Nouveau*.
Self-published in 1994, it is one of the most useful publications for
archaeologists and others who wish to understand the Bohemian bead industry
and its products (*see* abstract below). Unfortunately, not only is this
reference out of print but it is hard to find in libraries outside of
Europe and impossible to purchase at a reasonable price anywhere (the few
copies offered on the Internet start at $150!). The reprint, in 8-1/2 x 11
in. format, contains 111 pages of text illustrated with 123 B&W images and
complemented by 50 color plates illustrating various Bohemian and Venetian
beads and beaded items.

Members of the Society of Bead Researchers will receive this issue as a
benefit of membership. Non-members may purchase this volume for $35.00US
postpaid in North America and for $45.00US postpaid surface mail for
overseas. If interested, please contact me offline for payment details (*
[log in to unmask]).* <[log in to unmask]).> If you will be attending
the Society for Historical Archaeology conference in Baltimore this
January, copies will also be available there (as well as all the earlier
issues); look for the SBR table in the book room.
*

Abstract:
*

During the 19th and 20th centuries, Gablonz in northern Bohemia (now
Jablonec nad Nisou in the Czech Republic) was a major producer and supplier
of glass and ceramic beads to the world market. This production center
created beads of myriad forms, using all the major manufacturing methods.
This detailed study provides a thorough overview of the various methods
including patent details as well as information concerning bead names,
shapes, coloring, decoration, sizing, stringing, and historic prices. The
text is accompanied by numerous illustrations of the beads under discussion
and the tools and apparatus used to make, size, and string them. There is
also a well-illustrated section on the pre-1913 sample cards of two major
Gablonz companies, the Redlhammer Brothers (primarily Prosser beads) and
the Mahla Brothers (blown beads).
Karlis Karklins
Editor
Society of Bead Researchers