Laurinda Freitas Cut Glass Patterns

Collection

Identifier: MS-0204

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Laurinda Freitas Cut Glass Pattern collection consists of 147 rubbings and sketches for glass engravings, mostly undated, that document designs applied to tableware, barware, vases, ash trays and other common glass pieces. Some rubbings and sketches are accompanied by a brief textual description relating to the pattern and its intended purpose. The rubbings and sketches depict floral and wildlife motifs, geometric shapes, hearts, numbers, and monograms. Several booklets and templates of alphabets may also be found in the collection.

Dates

Circa 1960-1979

Creator

Freitas, Laurinda, 1925-2013 (Person)

Language of Materials

Materials are in English

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for public research. Researchers must make an appointment to view this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

The Copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. The user agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Corning Museum of Glass and the Rakow Research Library against all claims, demands, costs and expenses incurred by copyright infringement or any other legal or regulatory cause of action arising from the use of Library materials

Biographical / Historical

Laurinda Luiz Freitas was born July 19, 1925 in Corning, New York, one of four children of Theodore Luiz and Bella Comosh. Freitas grew up to contribute to the local glass industry. She began her schooling at St. Mary’s School in Corning, but finished in Madeira, Portugal before returning to Corning to work for Hunt Glass Company. Freitas worked at Hunt Glass Company primarily as an engraver. She also instructed apprentice cutters there before setting up her own home shop when Hunt Glass Company closed in 1973. The cutting lathe for her home shop came from Hunt Glass Company and was made by Hortons Machine Works in Elmira, New York. Unfortunately, there are no known records that document Freitas’s glass education. Her cut glass pattern designs highlight her talent for creative design and sketching in addition to engraving and cutting.

Laurinda Freitas was married February 12, 1949 at St. Mary's Church in Corning to Antonio (Tony) Freitas, who worked as a gaffer for Steuben Glass. Freitas’s sister, Mary Luiz, also worked for Corning Glass Works for more than 20 years. Freitas actively kept in touch with her family members in Rochester and Corning and enjoyed gardening, hosting family gatherings, cooking, and singing.

Freitas died January 24, 2013.

Extent

4.5 Linear Feet (1 Hollinger box and 2 flat boxes)

Additional Description

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Most of the rubbings and sketches are on poor quality paper and very fragile. They appear to have been stored folded up for many years prior to their donation to the library. Please use caution when handling them.