Condition Assessment SIG
by Dino Fire

The Condition Assessment Special Interest Group was moderated by our own webmaster, Byron.  BBBush has expressed an intense interest in honest, clear disclosure of the condition of Red Wing and other wares, especially since the growing trade of these wares through eBay, The Pottery Auction, and independent web sites have dramatically increased the sals of pottery, stoneware, and dinnerware nationwide.   Fireside Antiques is proud to have been the first independent web site to subscribe to the Wing Tips Full Disclosure protocol, which you can see on this site by following this link.  So it was natural for Byron to lead this group, and we weren't disappointed.

There were 15 or 20 attendees, ranging from long-time collectors to dealers to brand new Red Wing Collectors.  One message came through loud and clear: there is no common definition for terms like "Excellent" or "Mint" or any of the other ways folks describe their items.  Ultimately, true condition is in the eyes of the buyer.

Several members pointed out that their sarting assumption is that nothing, but nothing, is in truly mint condition.  There may be grades of excellence that vary depending on the piece and expectations.  For example, small base chips on the underside of  large piece of stoneware probably do not disqualify the assessment of "Excellent," while the same exact chips around the rim very well may, since they are more visible.  Of course, chips of any nature on art pottery are devastating to the value.  Unlike crock and jugs, art pottery is not meant to be utilitarian in its original use.  While stoneware values can tolerate some wear and damage, pottery cannot.

Serious dinnerware collectors have a new classification to deal with, that of utensil damage.  Knife marks on plates or spoon marks inside coffee cups seriously erode the value of dinnerware.  As the discussion continued in the hallway after the official end of the session, we learned that bleaching can also inflict damage on plate color, and can often be detected simply by smell.   And yes, crazing is considered damage.

Naturally, the subject of eBay arose.  A majority of the members discussing their experiences buying over eBay indicated that generally, the wares arrived as advertised.  There were, however, some glaring examples of outright misrepresentation by eBay sellers, one of whom--to eBay's credit--was permanently banned from selling through that site after complaints from buyers.

The mission:  get the Wing Tips Condition Assessment and Disclosure protocols into general circulation.