Raymond E. Banford, born on January 3, 1918, in Camden, New Jersey, entered the world to William and Verna Banford, initially residing at 26 Marlton Avenue in 1918. The family relocated to 406 North 27th Street by 1924, with the 1930 Census revealing the presence of paternal grandmother Sarah Banford. William Banford, Raymond’s father, was employed as a brakeman for the Pennsylvania Railroad at the nearby Pavonia rail yards during this period.
Raised in East Camden, Raymond Banford completed his education at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School in June 1933, securing his high school diploma four years later from one of Camden’s high schools.
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Raymond Banford enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from January 3, 1942, through February 1, 1946. Prior to his return home from the service, he had already obtained an appointment to the Camden Fire Department, where he served as a fireman until his retirement in 1973. The 1947 Camden City Directory listed Raymond Banford’s residence with his parents at 32 North 28th Street, a brief stroll from the firehouse at North 27th and Federal Street.
In 1948, Raymond Banford married Ruth Pogust, a native of East Camden. The couple welcomed their son, Robert Banford, into the world on December 19, 1951, and established their home at 2908 Cramer Street until the mid-1970s.
During the 1960s, Ray Banford developed an interest in collecting and dealing with art glass, while his son Bob delved into the art of glassblowing. A torch, given by Ray to Bob as a high school graduation gift, ignited their shared journey into the world of art. After years of dedicated study and experimentation, they produced their first marketable paperweights in 1973.
Their inspiration came from paperweights of the antique classic period from the 1840s, characterized by the finest crystal, vibrant colors, and the exceptional skills of expert glassblowers and cutters. Following his retirement, Raymond Banford relocated to Hammonton, New Jersey, where he resided for nineteen years. In 1973, he established R. Banford, Inc., alongside his son Robert, creating and selling collectible paperweights, art glass, and antique paperweights. Their shared studio, located in the garage of the Banford home, became a hub for experimenting and crafting art glass and paperweights, earning them recognition in the field.
Raymond Banford’s works found homes in prestigious collections, including those of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York; the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum in Neenah, Wisconsin; and the Museum of American Glass at Wheaton Village in Millville, New Jersey. The final eighteen years of Raymond Banford’s life were spent as a resident of Southampton Township in Burlington County, New Jersey. He peacefully passed away on March 3, 2003, leaving behind his wife and son.
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Raymond E. Banford
Raymond E. Banford, born on January 3, 1918, in Camden, New Jersey, entered the world to William and Verna Banford, initially residing at 26 Marlton Avenue in 1918. The family relocated to 406 North 27th Street by 1924, with the 1930 Census revealing the presence of paternal grandmother Sarah Banford. William Banford, Raymond’s father, was…
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