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
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