SGAA and the Tariff Question: A Century of Strategic Advocacy

Since the mid-19th century, U.S. stained glass studios have faced constant economic pressure from imported glasswork—pressures rooted in global wage disparities, material costs, and changing U.S. trade policy. Tariffs, particularly those levied on stained glass, have shaped not only the business viability of American studios but also the broader artistic and cultural standing of the domestic stained glass movement.

The recurring “tariff question” became a crucible through which the American stained glass community organized, strategized, and ultimately founded what became the Stained Glass Association of America. From fragmented petitions in the 1880s to landmark Supreme Court cases in the 1890s, from congressional lobbying in the 1920s to union-backed testimony in the 1950s, the SGAA emerged not just as a professional organization, but as a defender of fair trade and artistic equity.

By 2025, SGAA once again found itself responding to proposed tariff changes. The moment serves as a reminder: trade policy is never settled, and SGAA’s role as a vigilant, informed, and collaborative advocate is as vital today as it was at its founding.

The story of SGAA’s tariff engagement is ultimately one of adaptation, advocacy, and the collective will to find opportunity and innovation when faced with challenges and uncertainty.

SGAA Tariff timeline

  • 1842: First stained glass tariffs enacted (30%)

  • 1883: Religious-use windows become duty-free

  • 1892: Supreme Court affirms 45% tariff on stained glass

  • 1903: SGAA predecessor (NOGMA) founded to coordinate advocacy

  • 1922: SGAA helps secure 45% tariff after WWI

  • 1930: Smoot-Hawley Tariff raises rates to 60%

  • 1950s: French imports bypass tariffs via legislation—SGAA protests

  • 2025: SGAA prepares to work with partnership to apply for exemptions if offered and continues to monitor ongoing changes to trade legislation.

 

Advocacy in Action: The Role of SGAA

  • Information Gathering

  • Public Outreach

  • Member Discussion & Support

  • Vigilance & Updates

 

The Power of our International Community Members and Collective Memory

Besides tariffs, U.S. government actions have affected stained glass producers in the past regarding apprenticeship standards (1940s), consumer product safety (1970s), workplace safety (1980s), and lead safety (1990s), among others. In each case the SGAA or partners in related trades managed to minimize or ameliorate the potential damage to the industry from potential collateral economic fallout resulting from government’s policies.

For the whole story, take a look at these SGQ issues from our archives:

winter 1996
 Read this issue from the archives here
 SGQ Vol 85 No 3 Fall 1990 - Serban Lead Advocacy Article_Page_01
Read this issue from the archives here
  matthew
 ~ coming soon ~

“The Tariff Question Revisited: The Impetus for the Formation of the SGAA,”
by William Serban

In the Winter 1996 Stained Glass Quarterly, Bill Serban wrote a synopsis of the 'wonky' tariff tug-of-war between the U.S. political parties affecting the SGAA and the entire stained glass profession up to the 1930s and beyond.

William Serban, “The Tariff Question Revisited: The Impetus for the Formation of the SGAA,” Stained Glass Quarterly, V. 91, No. 4, Winter 1996, pp. 293-305

"Stained Glass and Government Regulation: The Lead Issue,"
by William Serban

In Volume 85, Number 3 (Fall 1990), William Serban wrote a political analysis and historical overview of the current
state of federal efforts to ban the use of lead. We scanned the entire issue so that you can see the letters to the editor and message from the SGAA President calling our members to action and helping inform them of the processes at work.

"The SGAA and the Tariff Question--Once Again!"
by William Serban

In an upcoming article, Bill outlines the SGAA’s historic and evolving role in advocacy, education, and coalition-building during tariff disputes from the 19th century to today. He emphasizes the importance of learning from past efforts and remaining vigilant, collaborative, and adaptable in the face of renewed trade challenges.

   coming Vol. 120 No. 1

Legislative Action in the SGQ

 

We would not be the SGAA we are today without our Members.

The SGAA extends heartfelt thanks to longtime member William “Bill” Serban for his tireless commitment to documenting and preserving our industry's legislative history. Through decades of research, writing, and reflection, Bill has ensured that the complex story of stained glass and trade policy remains accessible, relevant, and deeply human. His work reminds us that the struggles of past generations are not distant—they are foundational. We are grateful for his clarity, his dedication, and his unwavering belief in the power of collective memory.

Bibliography and References:

William Serban, “The Tariff Question Revisited: The Impetus for the Formation of the SGAA,” Stained Glass Quarterly, V. 91, No. 4, Winter 1996, pp. 293-305.

John Gilbert Lloyd, Stained Glass in America, Jenkintown, Pa., Foundation Press, 1963, pp. 96-106

William Serban, “The Tariff Question Revisited: The Impetus for the Formation of the SGAA,” Stained Glass Quarterly, V. 91, No. 4, Winter 1996, p. 304

William Serban, “The Tariff Question Revisited: The Impetus for the Formation of the SGAA,” Stained Glass Quarterly, V. 91, No. 4, Winter 1996, p. 304

William Serban, “Stained Glass and Government Regulation: The Lead Issue,” Stained Glass Quarterly, Fa.1990, pp. 182-184.

“Reagan Calls Polish Leaders ‘Lousy Bums,’” New Orleans Times-Picayune, Oct. 10, 1982, sec. 1, p. 6. Although this shows President Reagan using a tariff tool to coerce a policy change in another country, overall, he was opposed to high tariffs, and he sought to keep product prices low through low tariff rates.

John Gilbert Lloyd, Stained Glass in America, Jenkintown, Pa.: Foundation Press, 1963, pp. 98-99.

U.S. House of Representatives. 54th Cong., 2nd Session. Tariff Hearing Before the Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, D,C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1894, p. p273-274.

U.S. Senate. 53rd Cong., 2d Session. Senate Report 413: Replies to Tariff Inquiries, Bulletin # 7, Washington, D.C., 1894, pp. 132-133.

“In the Cause of Free Art,” New York Times, May 18, 1892, p. 7.

See also, Darlene Brady, William Serban, Orin E. Skinner and Norman Temme, “Mostly About the Magazine.” In Stained Glass Index, 1903-1978. Bronxville, N.Y.: The Stained Glass Association of America, 1978, pp. 8-18.

The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Bill was introduced in 1929 and hearings were held on a proposed increase on the duty from 45% to 60%. The Stock Market crash of October 1929 delayed the proceedings and the bill finally became law in 1930.

Orin E. Skinner, “Mostly About the .” In Stained Glass Index, 1903-1978. Bronxville, N.Y.: The Stained Glass Association of America, 1978, p. 11.

U.S. Tariff Commission. Summary of Tariff Information, 1929, on Tariff Act of 1922. Schedule 2—Earths, Earthenware, Glassware, etc. Washington, D.D.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1929.

David Levering Lewis, The Stained Glass Window, New York: Penguin Press, 2025, p. 4. This is a family history by Pulitzer Prize winning historian Lewis who was inspired by a 1909 “Motherhood Triptych” stained glass window with his maternal grandmother portrayed as the Madonna placed in Atlanta’s renowned First Congregational Church.

William Serban has been a member of the SGAA since 1976, He is an indexer of the Stained Glass Quarterly and co-editor of Stained Glass: A Guide to Information Sources (1980).

matthew