From the original 16th century glassworks, to one of the world’s premier crystal factories the story of the Cristalleries de Saint-Louis is told in this fascinating narative which spans the centuries. Gerard Ingold has lived much of this story and tells it well;Glassblowers and cutters are the pricipal actors, working with glass. With simple tools, the blow- pipe. paddle, shears, the cutting and buffing wheels - with their hands they give life, form and light to glass, in a scintillating ballet, for which the blowing room and the cutting shop are the theater.The story of Saint-Louis is the story of the French crystal industry. From simple industrial glass to stunning works of art in crystal used and collected by presidents and kings, the history is here. so too are the objects, from small tumblers to giant candelabra almost 15 feet high.Having devoted his career to Saint-Louis, Gerard Ingold knows his subject well. He was a friend of Jean Cocteau, Collette, Sacha Guitry and Paul Jokelson. He worked with famed artists and designers such as Victor Vaserely and Raymond Loewy. He was influencial in helping revive the dormant art of making fine paperweights at Saint-Louis and instigated encasing gold medallions, both art forms dear to his heart.Take a peek inside, as Gerard opens the Saint-Louis archives, guides us through their museum and gives us access to the blowing and cutting room floors.preface by: Yvonne Brunhammer,Head Curator ofthe Museum of Decorative Art