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Help Save the Glass

By Joe Solito

Collectors everywhere go about gathering items for their collections. In that process, we preserve the items that we cherish.We also try to find the best examples of a specific piece.Coin collectors will upgrade a fine grade for a very fine grade example.Collectors of Glass and China try to find mint pieces for their collections. Most of us will accept a piece less then mint when it's the best that can be found.You might find interesting that the most ever paid up to that date, for a piece of our beloved glassware was paid for a piece with some good size chips out of it.Yes, this is a rare example both in the piece and in the fact that it has such value in this condition.

In a future article, we will explore the history and provide you with pictures. My purpose is not to tease but to stimulate your thinking on what the item could be and the value regardless of condition.

Now lets turn in the other direction. Just how much is the financial value (we will still love the piece) decreased by damage when many mint examples exist. Naturally, the drop in value depends on the piece and pattern. Suffice it to say that it is usually substantial.

As collectors (caretakers for the next generation) and dealers, we need to preserve the piece and it's condition. Why? Because we should, and if that is not enough of a reason, because it is in our financial interest to do so. Otherwise the piece will still be loved but not us, by future generations. Of course accidents happen and we all feel terrible.We all do the best we can to handle the glass and china with care.

By now you want to know, what is the problem. Have you ever examined a piece in otherwise mint condition only to find a 1" patch of scratches where no scratches should be. Took me awhile to figure out why.The why turned out to be the improper removal of price stickers. Incredible! However, using an abrassive medium to remove the stickers or dryed masting tape will cause the described scratching most of the time, especially on hand made glass.

Therefore, I am spending the entire time necessary to write this, just to ask that we soak off with water or Windex or a product called Goo Gone( for the really stubborn) labels and their remnants. Future generations will thank us but not as much as we all thank those people who made our incredible glass and china.

Hope you are enjoying the MegaShow as much as we are enjoying bringing this show to you.

Joe Solito

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