Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Charles Sweigart of Reinholds, Pennsylvania sends along a thought provoking commentary on how to deal with damage for a variety of collectibles.

In response to Wayne Montano,

Observations, not personal opinion, indicate;

It will increase the value of most things automotive when properly restored. Many things collected by automotive type collectors are also more valued when restored. coin-op machines, signs, etc.

Note; transportation related toys are often restored to increase value but purist toy collectors still desire original condition over restored.

Very old, IE. hand made, furniture is more valued in untouched condition, but restoration/conservation of parts related to use/function are somewhat acceptable. How much rarer and more desirable the form is will be relative to the change in value. Late 19th and most 20th century furniture, for consumers, is acceptable in repaired/restored condition but value may be increased or discounted on an individual basis.

China and pottery will be accepted as repaired/restored in some collecting circles, but not others, and must be determined on a case by case basis.

Generally glass collectors of anything less than 200 years old will not accept repair/restoration. Some types of glass will be accepted with rather great defects depending on rarity. IE bottles, especially the dug-up ones and early American pressed flint glass. It would appear that as age increases and supply decreases in glass, acceptance of damage/repair increases.

There also seems to be wide geographical variances in acceptability of repair/restoration. Acceptance of repair/restorations changes over time as well. Example: metal staple repairs, were at one time accepted, now a major no no.

Final thoughts;

Purchases for personal consumption/satisfaction are guided by personal preference but often greatly influenced by the market’s preferences. Purchases made solely for resale should preferably be guided by market preferences. The idea of trying to explain this to most of the general public is a nearly impossible task and can be just as difficult with collectors of a singular interest.

www.cardersteubenclub.org

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.

2012 Carder Steuben Club annual Symposium will be held at The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY from September 20-22, 2012.