First, note we are shortening the subject line. Shari Hopper of Paradise, CA suggests that long subject lines get caught in computer spam filters.

Next, Rande Bly observes the collector’s holding test.
I loved what Bob Mueller said about finding the Stevens and Williams Amethyst cut to clear perfume that he tried to put down and his hands just would not let go of no matter how hard he tried. He had burned Carder’s creations into his subconscious memory and he had trained himself to not let go of Carder pieces. I also used this procedure constantly throughout my 40 years in the Antique business. My hands will not let go of a good antique and they will not let go of a piece of Steuben. I usually just carried on a normal conversation with the folks while I held the piece for about 4-5 minutes. Most often I would have throughout that time frame returned the piece to the shelf. If after considerable time I had not returned it or handed it back to the clerk I would switch to conscious mind and make a conscious decision as to whether to purchase the piece. I buy 95% of all pieces I cannot set down.