Page 60 - Sunday 21 March Auction

BBR catalogue grading 1 to 10 (10 = the best) We greatly appreciate any feedback to help us fine tune this e: sales@onlinebbr.com
10/10. Mint This vintage item as near perfect given its substantial age as you will find. We are confident it displays only mildest wear we feel is in keeping (eg: base abrasion on a sealed bottle that reassures) or is part of the items attraction (inconsistent salt glazing or drips). No restoration we can detect.
9/10. Near mint An object with no significant loses to surface (chips or larger areas of loss) very mi- nor abrasions such as minor light scratches, ‘flea bites’ or wear to insignificant areas contributing to authenticity.
8/10. Antique aesthetic A sound and complete object with condition issues in our view adding to its appeal. This might be highly patinated wine bottles displaying stable iridescence, stoneware with firing faults adding character, or metal and ephemera that display aging in a way which en- hances their appeal.
7/10. Antique condition Rarely surviving in perfect condition, this item is sound, but damaged in a way associated with its original period use. Typically this might include a bottle with minor rim loss, stress cracks or a lip flakes associated with de-corking; a ceramic or glass piece with minor nicks compatible with age related wear during its use or in manufacture burst surface glass bubbles or kiln chips.
6/10. Restoration detected This might include re-built parts of the body, for instance a new neck on an otherwise rare bottle, a remade handle or a pot lid rebuilt including parts of the design. It might be a hard to detect area of restoration, say, an insubstantial lip or base chip repair not affecting design elements.
5/10. Room for improvement Item has faults which are currently stable, hard to detect, or restorable. For instance a difficult to find small potstone, fracture or star crack. Ceramic may have a noticeable but improvable hairline crack or staining; glass may have been tumble polished* or is a candidate for that treatment to be made.
It might also include unstable, flaking or less attractive patina* on a wine bottle.
4/10. Displays presentably An item with condi- tion issues but in our view, displays acceptably
- usually means easily detected losses/ faults/ damage (chips or cracks), light surface degrading (erosion/ sickness*) to part of the body not visible on the premium display position: for instance to the rear, edge or hidden parts. Restoration* to design elements that does not detract.
3/10. Premium display position degraded This piece is largely whole but has condition problems affecting the integrity of that view. It might include
not easily remedied surface damage, including fish-eye dings or deep fork scratches on glass; flaking or frail surface or body to ceramic; badly rusted surface or designs on metal. With paper, board or Ruberoid figures, an item that is so frail it is difficult to handle without damage.
2/10. Significant condition issues which in our view detract from its display, usually meaning easily detected losses or damage, such as major chips or large cracks or surface degrading to part of body that is not desirable. It may have serious erosion, losses or deep scratches or dents. It might mean a part is missing that is not easy to replace (a lid perhaps) or to restore.
1/10. Major condition issues Broken, incom- plete, holed. Suffered losses and generally in need of major restoration attention, such an item is offered in our catalogued sales usually only be- cause it represents a particularly rare or unusual example that might be restored or act as a study piece.
*Restoration and condition
Term sickness indicates disfiguring white cloudy erosion of glass/ matt texture. Not a stain, this is an early stage in leaching internal glass structure due to burial. Over a very long time period, can eventually produce an attractive patina. Restoration may include sick bottles treated for instance by tumbling, polishing or acid dipping. Results can improve appearance
but are less desirable than an item thus treated as
it may softening some detail. Rust & grease stains
to ceramic can be treated but not without risk. Rebuilding of glass & pottery with epoxy resin or ceramic-like material is now extremely sophisticated; generally less acceptable to if impinging on crucial object features or large areas. We try to detect & describe condition but buyers must ultimately satisfy themselves by viewing in person & deciding the potential for, or stability of, repair & the quality of any detected.
EVERY LOT on sale day sold AS SEEN, onus remains upon buyer to personally inspect. If you find conditions/ faults/ repairs we’ve missed please advise. We mention any prior to selling a lot. Last thing we want is something NOT meeting your personal standards/ expectations.
ABSENTEE BIDDERS please seek a personal condition report from Alan Blakeman, which we will
100% adhere to.
Te, or email: sales@onlinebbr.com