The internet has done a lot to change what is "RARE" or "SCARCE."

*A bruise is a starburst pattern found after a direct hit, with the possibility of eventually leading to a chip, crack, or even a hole, depending on handling after the event. Under the heading of "chipped," come several variations:

-CHIPS (vague to say the least when designated as "large" or "small"...unless pictured or stated in inches)

-FLAKES (shallow chips which are less distracting),

-NICKS

-FLEABITES (see above),

-SCRATCHES (not unusual, but sometimes very distracting, therefore worthy of mention),

-ROUGHNESS or ROUGH MOLDLINES, this latter being least objectionable, since they can be construed as a result of manufacture (see fins above). Many EAPG edges were not FIRE-POLISHED, so the edges are very susceptible to "roughness." IF, however, a pattern is known to have a fire-polished edge (the object was reheated to smooth out the mold lines), then there should be no roughness! Here is where your own knowledge about your pattern is important.

*Hint: FEEL the edges of glass with your fingers. Your fingers can often find irregularities (chips) before your eyes. Obviously, do this VERY carefully, lest you cut your little fingers! ;)

-An additional type of DAMAGE not addressed, is "SICK" glass. This is a condition where the top layer of the glass turns foggy almost frosted, a pale GRAY HAZE. This is not the intentional acid frosting seen in specific patterns, on specific areas of the pattern. Sometimes there is a linear demarcation, since standing water can cause this damage. Most commonly sickness is seen in bottles or jars, although any form can become sick. Sometimes there is an accompanying sheen, the latter due to dishwasher heat & chemicals. (NB: One should NEVER put EAPG in a dishwasher or even very hot water!). Generally, sick glass is a permanent condition. Expensive special handling by a professional repairer might restore the grayed glass to clear. Only occasionally can graying be a temporary condition due to hard water staining or spotting. If Iron-Out or any other hard water treatment does not remove the gray, the glass is sick. In my experience, MOST grayed glass is sick!

-Yet one other type of damage not mentioned is "SUN PURPLING," a condition fairly unique to EAPG because of its chemical composition & age. Of course, some sun purpling in clear glass could be a natural phenomenon from 100 years of exposure to light. But the majority of it seen today (especially the really dark stuff) has been artificially altered to that color. As such, it is not in the condition which was intentioned at manufacture: colorless clarity. To many dedicated EAPG collectors, sun purpled glass is considered a tragedy and is not collectible.

ALL of these types of damage should be mentioned in a description of glass being sold! And it doesn't hurt to put in some of the accepted "normal" findings listed under "Mint," since these can reinforce the acceptance of a piece as being legitimately EAPG in origin.

-The value-condition issue relates to something which I call "SHELF" or "FILLER" status. Ex: I don't have the piece. It could be rare or scarce, or not. It has a big chip on one side. It's appealing in appearance. I can display it so that the chip doesn't show or is not the center of attention. The price is quite low, relative to BV. This has shelf or filler value, which depends on...you & your burning need to have it! :) (hopefully until you can find a better piece to replace it)

-The internet has done a lot to change what is "RARE" or "SCARCE."

If you see 2 of something in one or 2 weeks on ebay, which is listed in a book as scarce, does that make it less scarce? Not necessarily! If, however, over a period of time, say a year, you see one a week, or 3 or 4 every month, then it's certainly not scarce. OR, it's being reproduced (repro'd/copied/remade). Seeing 2 of something "scarce" in a week or two could be coincidence, OR occasionally: someone has seen a similar piece hit a sky high price one week, so he/she pulls his/hers out too, to catch the price wave. The price could be good even beyond 2 or 3 pieces, until the existing buyers at the time, or "wanters" are satisfied.

-A lot of what price an item hits on ebay has to do with how many "INTERESTED EYEBALLS" are watching that week! Sometimes it comes down to just 2 bidders, both who have deep pockets and/or who are desperately determined to have that one particular item.

If you have any questions or don't understand any of the above, please feel free to ask me for clarification. I believe that EAPG is a wonderful collectible, not to be feared. It should be admired, studied, and cherised for its age, history, and beauty. I offer this guide because of the many times that I've gotten glass in misrepresented condition. I've also gotten many poorly packed pieces, but that's a whole other topic! As mentioned above, condition is very important for value. And knowledge is power...for both buyer AND seller.