I read an interesting article this week on vintage items to watch for when you are out “junking.” They listed 10 items and three of my favorites — Fiesta, Pyrex and Jadeite — made the list!
If you are one of the many who will be hitting the yard sales and thrift shops this season in search of these pieces, I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t warn you to proceed with a degree of caution. There is a malady that plagues even the most experienced collector from time to time, and it is appropriately called, buyer’s remorse.
See if this scenario sounds familiar. You’re walking the kitchenware aisle at Goodwill when, there it is, the Amish Butter-Print bowl you need to complete your favorite Pyrex set. $1.99! No, that can’t be right!?! But it is! So, you grab it off the shelf and make your way to checkout, fighting back the urge to shout for joy. You rush home, unwrap the bowl, and that’s when you see it. There is a chip on the rim. Did you do that? Did the clerk do that? Was it there when you bought it? Closer inspection reveals a slight discoloration that indicates this chip has been around for a while. That sick feeling in your stomach and the strong urge to kick yourself….THAT is buyer’s remorse.
In an effort to help you avoid this experience, here are a few of the most common flaws to watch for when buying any breakable collectible.
Flea Bites. This is a name given to tiny little chips that come with age. They will detract from value, so always take the time to run your finger around the edges of a piece that you are considering. Special attention should be given to canister sets and cookie jars where the rims and lids have been exposed to repeated opening and closing. CAUTION — If you are shopping online beware of seller who refer to damage as “a mere flea bite.” Sometimes the chip is barely detectable, but other times the flea in question must have weighed ten pounds!
A small crack on the rim of a bowl can become a big problem as time goes by. Stress cracks tend to grow, even if the piece is only used to decorate your china cabinet. If you truly love the piece, you might want to purchase it anyway — just make certain that the price you pay allows for the damage.
Watch for use marks. Plates, platters and mixing bowls will often have scratches from contact with metal utensils. Fiestaware is notorious for this due to the bright colors that show marks easily. Scratches on Jadeite may be harder to see so view plates from several angles to make certain they are not scratched. Years of repeated use and washing will often remove the sheen from Jadeite or cause Fiesta to fade. Only purchase pieces that retain their bright color and smooth surface.
Chipped lettering and missing decals are a deal breaker for the serious collector. Several of the manufacturers of Jadeite included canister sets and salt and pepper shakers in their lines. Exposure to heat and years of use will often leave these pieces with part of their bold print markings missing. Avoid those. Pyrex is collected for its festive patterns. Some patterns were hand painted and others were applied decals, but all of them are prone to chipping. Those with wear are still great for everyday use, but avoid them for collection and display.
Most mid-20th Century utility ware was inexpensively made and even though they were quality checked by the manufacturers before being released for sale, factory flaws caused by the mold or firing process were not a reason to pull a piece back from stock. Manufacturing flaws may not decrease the value of a piece, but they will detract from their aesthetic appeal. Until next time…Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com