Gerry Eggert of Syracuse adds his opinion on the value of a signature

Burton Arnett is correct!
Signatures always add value provided they are not forgeries.
Newer collectors are very suspicious of unsigned pieces.
Advanced collectors may be a different story.

Then next, someone writes in and first asks how to post to the Gazelle and then asks an expanding question on identification.

Since he is specific to an upcoming auction and specific items I have edited out many of the specifics. However, the basic question should be discussed.

Hi Alan,

I’m not sure how to post for the Gazelle……so I’m sending this message to you. (Let me know if that’s the procedure.)

(Answer–Note—by hitting your reply button to the Gazette you can send your commentary to the Gazette)

*******************************************************************************************

Hi All,

I got an email today from a national auction house, and saw that a lot of very nice glass, including Carder-era Steuben, will be offered at an upcoming auction. I clicked the link for the online catalog for the Sunday offerings and boy, were there some treats!

I’d like to pose a question to the group. While perusing the offerings, I noticed a number of items that I believe have been misattributed to Steuben. The lot number is …

Does anyone think that a gallery or auction house such as … (or any other one, for that matter) would actually appreciate a correction, or is it likely that any friendly, non-combative attempt to provide correct information would result in a curt response (or no response)?

While I fully agree with the idea that one has to know what one is buying, I hate to see errors at best, or misrepresentation at worst, in an auction setting.

I don’t raise this to publicize or stigmatize any commercial auction, but to stimulate discussion, and, I hope, get some input from other collectors. I’m glad that there is a marketplace for all of us to buy fine glass, pottery, furniture, and art — and a venue to sell it, should we choose to do that.