Good Advice in Collecting Old Glass
From the Elegant Glass Club

I just thought that my collecting friends might enjoy this list of do’s and don’ts. Some of them are a bit amusing, but I think that they are all good advice. Yes, I did not write them – just sharing.

Terry Smith, Signal Hills, CA

1. Although supply and demand is a factor, and record prices may be set, don’t think that money can consistantly buy the best specimens. Courtesy and patience can buy better.

2. With virtues intact, be ready!! He who “hesitates” has lost it to his neighbor. (aka “If you snooze, you lose.”)

3. Don’t “kiss & tell” – be generous, but caution is advised. A rival collector is born every minute.

4. Don’t quote prices unless you are directly selling something. Again, you are giving away info that could directly affect you and the market, and, if buying – you could be held liable.

5. Don’t seek numbers, seek quality!

6. Don’t let envy keep you from enjoying or studying another’s collection or recent acquisition.

7. Don’t believe all you hear – investigate.

8. Don’t call everything that you cannot classify “not right.” Spanish, Continental, English, French etc…Comparison of specimens and time will (might) change your opinion.

9. Most antiques dealers depend upon locality for their rarity – be aware that your opinion may be very local.

10. Don’t pick up creams, pitchers or baskets by the handle alone. You will insist, “It was mint when I bought it, I didn’t see a crack, did you?” Don’t subject your old glass to very hot or cold water in washing. I have heard that a rare tumbler once exploded in someone’s hand! Enough said.

11. Don’t be a “pack rat.” By exchange and sale of specimens you will improve your own collection and if you help some one else to get what he or she wants it will come back to you ten-fold in unexpected moments.

12. Old stories, old glass, and old friends is a combination worth living for. A colorful collection of people is the key to enjoying a collection of colorful glass!!

GLASS ON VIEW AT CMoG DURING SYMPOSIUM

CMoG which has one of the most comprehensive collections of Tiffany glass will be showing two recently acquired rare examples of Tiffany, including a Clara Driscoll designed Tiffany dragonfly reading lamps.

2013 Carder Steuben Club annual Symposium will be held at The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY from September 19-21, 2013. The festivities will begin with Frederick Carder’s 150th birthday celebration on the evening of September 18, 2013.

Any opinions expressed by participants to the Gazette e-mail newsletters are the opinions of the authors and are not endorsed by or the opinions of the Carder Steuben Club.