A well-designed stained glass window is a monument to the senses with each observer being affected. To achieve this result, the designer must not only be a master of the artistic and mechanical aspects of his craft, but also a businessman combining the patron's ideas and desires with the practical considerations such as cost.

        Some of the extensive planning and interesting complications of this process are demonstrated by these excerpts from the correspondence between Dr. Barrett P. Tyler (BPT), former Rector (1920-1932) of All Saints Parish, residing at Mansakenning, Rhinebeck, New York; The Reverend Louis W. Pitt (LWP), the then Rector (1954-72) of All Saints Parish; Cram and Ferguson (C & F), Architects of All Saints Church; and Wilbur H. Burnham (WHB), the designer of The Sophie Langdon Tyler Memorial Window.

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January 6, 1955, LETTER, BPT to LWP - I should like to place a window
        in All Saints in memory of my dear wife. The window next to the Ver
        Planck Window is where I thought it might be placed. . . If there
        is no objection, I should like to ask Mr. Wilbur H. Burnham of Boston
        to fashion such a design as would be fitting. . . Is there any way
        to keep this in confidence until I am quite sure as to estimates and
        over-all costs? I do not want to run the risk of "everybody" hearing
        the "news" as at present my plans are not fixed.

January 13, 1955, LETTER, LWP to BPT - I was delighted to receive your
        letter and its news about a possible Tyler Window. . . I hesitate
        to speak to the Vestry until you are definite because word would surely
        spread. . . Do you mean the space North or South of the Ver Planck
        Window? I will point out that neither, as yet, has stone mullions
        as there would be that extra expense. Burnham Windows are fine, in
        my opinion, though Connick, as you know, has done most of ours.

March 3, 1955, LETTER, BPT to LWP - The window I have in mind is the
        larger one next to the Ver Planck Window. . . Mr. Burnham made a
        window for us at ETS (Episcopal Theological School - now Episcopal
        Divinity School) for my son. It proved very satisfactory and while
        I know Connick's good work, as seen in All Saints, I wanted to use
        Mr. Burnham as I believe he will do a good piece of work and we will
        all be pleased. Mr. Burnham wrote to me to ascertain the cost of the
        original stone work similar to that used in the Ver Planck Window for
        harmonizing the effect. . . Can you find this out soon so I can begin
        to "figure costs"? Soon I shall come to Boston to consult about the
        possible designs with Mr. Burnham and, of course, I shall take you
        into all my plans.

March 7, 1955, SECRETARIAL NOTATION, LWP to BPT - Wrote to Dr. Tyler
        to make sure he meant northern-most window nearest Beacon Street.

March 8, 1955, TELEPHONE CONVERSATION, LWP and WHB - Discussed
        theme - As Mrs. Tyler was interested in missionary work, possibly a
        missionary theme - Christ in center, other great missionaries around
        Him - advisability of making it a medallion type window instead of
        large figures - check with Mr. Berry at Cram and Ferguson who will
        provide estimates on mullions.

March 9, 1955, LETTER, BPT to LWP - The window I thought of is the one
        south of the Ver Planck Window unless you and Mr. Burnham think
        the other might better suit our purposes - I await your meeting.

March 9, 1955, LETTER, C & F to LWP - The artificial stone tracery in
        the Ver Planck Window cost $939 in 1922, including architect's
        commission of 10%. This amount, adjusted by the cost grade to date,
        would today amount to $2400. Of course, the only way to be sure is to
        get an estimate from a contractor. Do you wish us to do this?

March 10, 1955, LETTER, LWP to BPT - Mr. Burnham and I feel that the
        window nearest Beacon Street is the best location because everyone
        entering the new vestibule is faced with the window immediately. Also
        it gets more light than the one near the Chapel. . . Come to Boston as
        soon as possible. . . to decide upon a theme for the window.

March 14, 1955, LETTER, BPT to LWP - So far so good! I expect you and
        Mr. Burnham are right in emphasizing the window nearest Beacon
        Street; so suppose we call this "Step #1". . . The cost of the tracery is
        pretty high, yet today everything is high and we must have the best
        workmanship. . . So give me a little time to ponder on "how and when"
        and in due course I shall sit on your doorstep.

May 27, 1955, LETTER, C & F to LWP - We have had the window measured
        and given Mr. Whitcomb a print of the drawing to get a tracery
        estimate.

June 22, 1955, LETTER, C & F to LWP - Enclosed is the estimate from Frank
        L. and Charles E. Whitcomb, Inc., for the stonework on the window:
        $4500 plus 10% to architect.

June 24, 1955, LETTER, LWP to BPT - Received estimate from C & F. . . it
        is more of an operation than we thought. . . I am anxious to know your
        reaction to this. . .

July 6, 1955, LETTER, BPT to LWP - The window ought to be very fine for
        such a frame. I do not see how we can avoid paying these costs. . . I
        think we should decide upon the design before the contract is signed.

March 7, 1955, SECRETARIAL NOTATION, LWP to BPT - Wrote to Dr. Tyler
        to make sure he meant northern-most window nearest Beacon Street.

March 8, 1955, TELEPHONE CONVERSATION, LWP and WHB - Discussed
        theme - As Mrs. Tyler was interested in missionary work, possibly a
        missionary theme - Christ in center, other great missionaries around
        Him - advisability of making it a medallion type window instead of
        large figures - check with Mr. Berry at Cram and Ferguson who will
        provide estimates on mullions.

March 9, 1955, LETTER, BPT to LWP - The window I thought of is the one
        south of the Ver Planck Window unless you and Mr. Burnham think
        the other might better suit our purposes - I await your meeting.

March 9, 1955, LETTER, C & F to LWP - The artificial stone tracery in
        the Ver Planck Window cost $939 in 1922, including architect's
        commission of 10%. This amount, adjusted by the cost grade to date,
        would today amount to $2400. Of course, the only way to be sure is to
        get an estimate from a contractor. Do you wish us to do this?

March 10, 1955, LETTER, LWP to BPT - Mr. Burnham and I feel that the
        window nearest Beacon Street is the best location because everyone
        entering the new vestibule is faced with the window immediately. Also
        it gets more light than the one near the Chapel. . . Come to Boston as
        soon as possible. . . to decide upon a theme for the window.

March 14, 1955, LETTER, BPT to LWP - So far so good! I expect you and
        Mr. Burnham are right in emphasizing the window nearest Beacon
        Street; so suppose we call this "Step #1". . . The cost of the tracery is
        pretty high, yet today everything is high and we must have the best
        workmanship. . . So give me a little time to ponder on "how and when"
        and in due course I shall sit on your doorstep.

May 27, 1955, LETTER, C & F to LWP - We have had the window measured
        and given Mr. Whitcomb a print of the drawing to get a tracery
        estimate.

June 22, 1955, LETTER, C & F to LWP - Enclosed is the estimate from Frank
        L. and Charles E. Whitcomb, Inc., for the stonework on the window:
        $4500 plus 10% to architect.

June 24, 1955, LETTER, LWP to BPT - Received estimate from C & F. . . it
        is more of an operation than we thought. . . I am anxious to know your
        reaction to this. . .

July 6, 1955, LETTER, BPT to LWP - The window ought to be very fine for
        such a frame. I do not see how we can avoid paying these costs. . . I
        think we should decide upon the design before the contract is signed.

July 8, 1955, LETTER, LWP to BPT - Mr. Burnham said yesterday that costs
        could be cut by using artificial stone or wooden tracery. . . We could
        change the location to the chancel where there are two windows with
        tracery already.

July 11, 1955, LETTER, BPT to LWP - You may advise Mr. Burnham to go
        ahead as we had planned.

November 15, 1955, LETTER, LWP to C & F - We are proceeding with definite
        plans for the Tyler Window and are anxious to sign a contract with
        Whitcomb at the price quoted.

December 9, 1955, LETTER, C & F to LWP - . . .Signed contract. . .

April 4, 1956, LETTER, LWP to BPT - We have received from Mr. Burnham
        the sketch of your Memorial Window. I am delighted and the Vestry
        was delighted at its meeting last night. I am advising Mr. Burnham of
        our approval.

April 10, 1956, LETTER, BPT to LWP - Your letter of 4/4 made me happy!
         May the drawing be even better in glass.

April 17, 1956, LETTER, LWP to BPT - When I last wrote to you, I neglected
        to mention a suggestion for dedication of your Window. Mr. Burnham
        definitely plans to have the work completed in October. Would not All
        Saints time be ideal for the dedication?. . . Sunday, October 28, is my
        suggestion, with November 4 or even November 11. . .

April 25, 1956, LETTER, BPT to LWP - I had understood from correspondence
        with Mr. Burnham that June would be the time of the completed
        Window. Now, you give October as the date. Should this later date
        prove the correct one, I am sure Sunday, October 28, would be quite
        satisfactory.

June 28, 1956, LETTER, C & F to LWP - Installation of stone tracery will
        commence on Monday, July 2, 1956. Completion some time in
        August  . . .Window will be installed by Mr. Burnham in advance of
        "All Saints Day".

September 18, 1956, LETTER, LWP to WHB - November 4 is the day, as you
        know. . . We would like a black and white photo for the Order of
        Service for that evening. . . I think the Window should be veiled for
        the Sunday morning service on November 4, and officially unveiled
        that evening.

October 8, 1956, LETTER, LWP to BPT - Everything is completed on schedule
        for the dedication of the Window and we are as excited as you must
        be. . . Would you like to be in the Chancel taking some part in the
        service?. . .

October 25, 1956, LETTER, LWP to WHB - Please look over the description
        of the Tyler Window and let me know if there is anything to be
        changed.

 

 

The Dedication, November 4, 1956

The Order of Service

Window Dedication cover



 

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