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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Raven31557 on March 03, 2017, 02:06:34 PM

Title: Hairline cracks?
Post by: Raven31557 on March 03, 2017, 02:06:34 PM
How much does a hairline crack devalue an object?

I have a planter from the 1930's that has a barely noticeable hairline crack
and another figurine that has a hairline crack that dirt has settled into making a black line.

Crazing doesn't really devalue an object, does it?
Title: Re: Hairline cracks?
Post by: ghopper1924 on March 03, 2017, 02:16:51 PM
It's a matter of opinion. Some people can't tolerate either one. I don't mind crazing, as it shows genuine age if it isn't too overwhelming. Cracks can devalue something quite alot. A hairline (in my book, a crack that doesn't go all the way through and can barely be felt with a fingernail) can devalue an article 10-30%, while a crack that goes all the way through can devalue something up to 90%, depending on how distracting it is.

Sometimes it seems ridiculous that a crack or chip an render something virtually worthless, when it's otherwise 99.9% OK. But that's how the collecting market is, and how it's always been.
Title: Re: Hairline cracks?
Post by: cogar on March 03, 2017, 02:21:48 PM
The rarer and/or collectible an item is, ....... the less a crack or chip matters.  ;)
Title: Re: Hairline cracks?
Post by: benbenny007 on March 03, 2017, 02:33:08 PM
Agree, the rarer the less it matters. I broke so many antiques and others during transport but didn't really matter price wise. In some cases it added it charms to a piece  :)
Title: Re: Hairline cracks?
Post by: ghopper1924 on March 03, 2017, 02:45:41 PM
The rarer and/or collectible an item is, ....... the less a crack or chip matters.  ;)

I'd have to say my experience has been the opposite. A crack or chip can be devastating to a high-end piece's value; on the other hand, it can make something like that affordable when I could otherwise never buy it. 8)
Title: Re: Hairline cracks?
Post by: Raven31557 on March 03, 2017, 03:14:04 PM
Thx everybody!!
I guess I'll just price them on the high side first.   
Maybe I'll get lucky and someone won't mind the crack.
 ;D
Title: Re: Hairline cracks?
Post by: cogar on March 04, 2017, 06:53:25 AM
Tennerton glass has two (2) highly collectible patterns, ……. Texas Star and “chicken wire”.

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/62/37/88/623788280f17955945e4a0eaa6048e5a.jpg)

EAPG Steimer Texas Star Base Swirl Celery Vase, 5 3/4" tall   

Seller Notes: “One small (1/4") chip at one corner on the base, plus some wear to the edges of the panels on the lower one-third of the outside: I think this wear can be seen in my image.”

Price: US $55.00 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EAPG-Steimer-Texas-Star-Base-Swirl-Celery-Vase-5-3-4-tall-/391030686909?roken=cUgayN (http://www.ebay.com/itm/EAPG-Steimer-Texas-Star-Base-Swirl-Celery-Vase-5-3-4-tall-/391030686909?roken=cUgayN)
Title: Re: Hairline cracks?
Post by: Raven31557 on March 04, 2017, 12:40:41 PM
I would definitely disclose any chips or cracks.
I just wonder if I could get a close enough pic to see any.
Title: Re: Hairline cracks?
Post by: cogar on March 05, 2017, 08:00:31 AM

I just wonder if I could get a close enough pic to see any.


The wife has a Fostoria American 15" 'slung vase', like so:

(http://fostoriaamerican.org/images/vase2.gif)

that has about a 5-6" crack down its side but in the inside of the glass.

So, you can't feel it ....... and the only way to see it is to hold it in bright Sunlight and spin the vase around until the Sunlight "reflects" off of the crack's surface.

More vases @  http://fostoriaamerican.org/files/fostoria_american_vases.htm (http://fostoriaamerican.org/files/fostoria_american_vases.htm)