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By Joe Solito

We have all heard the term Rare used, or should I say abused, in relation to a piece of glass. Yet, it does have some meaning if used properly. I normally favor the term desirable. You can vary this term with extremely desirable, etc.

However, even this can get out of hand if the item in question is being over sold from that standpoint. It is normally the advanced collector looking at a rare item and I don't need to explain the desirability of the piece. There are time, however, that we are asked and I am more than happy to render an opinion. It is not only poor business practice to mislead your customer or a person you are buying from, it is DUMB. It is not a question of honesty. A dealer and collector should always be honest as long as they want to be happy with the person they see in the mirror.

Pricing on rare items include many different factors, such as price guides, which by their own proclamation are guides, current prices realized and trend, including the last time an equivalent item was sold and the price realized for that item. It is important that the customer receives value, service and your standing behind the item 100%. Knowing that they didn't overpay for the item and that they received the other two elements for free is where they realize their bargain. Follow this as a dealer and you will have satisfied and repeat customers time and again.

As a customer, well, let's use a practical example. How many green Cameo center handled sandwich servers are known to exist? I know that I haven't read this information anywhere else so you are in for a treat. There are exactly eight known. If you have been fortunate enough to see one in person, you know that it is a small piece compared to other center handle sandwich servers in other patterns. The Hocking Glass Company added a handle to the salver instead of investing in a new mold. I don't believe that the center handled piece was acceptable to the Hocking people and they stopped making them, perhaps after the first run. This is just another theory to consider along with the long held one of the handles snapping in shipping. What is not theory is that they come out of Ohio when found. This would indicate that they were not distributed. The last one found was at the Columbus Flea Market over ten years ago. Others have changed hands since then, but that was the last "discovered" one.

While the information on the Cameo server is interesting, let's not forget my original point. If, as a collector, you want this type of item offered to you, consider the guidelines that I suggest in dealing with the person on the other side of the transaction.

Those who went before us have truly blessed us with this amazing glass and it is our duty to preserve it. This can be done by joining one or more of the numerous clubs listed in the MegaShow Club Directory.

Have a great time collecting and dealing,

Joe Solito

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