There are several things that can happen to an old bottle after it is unearthed. Cleaning/tumbling is one of the most common steps one takes in restoring the bottle to as close to original condition as possible. Results can vary depending on the glass, and condition of the dug bottle. Regardless I think it is fair to say that tumbling by its nature removes some glass during the cleaning process. It is common to see bottles that have undergone some degree of cleaning to have this disclosed by a seller. My hat is off to the seller that makes this sort of disclosure to a potential buyer. Do you think it is proper to disclose that a bottle you put up for sale that it has been tumbled?
Another issue recently came to my attention that I would appreciate other collectors' opinions. There are a couple of e-bay listings that offer rather common Florida sodas. The catch is these bottles are some shade of amber as a result of being irradiated. The bottles are advertised as rare and the shade of amber is described. The listing does not state anywhere that the bottles have been radiated. Do you think a seller has an obligation to disclose that a bottle has been through a process that changes its original color?
Looking at it from the seller's side, whats the harm in radiating a $5.00 bottle if the change means it becomes attractive at $20.00 to someone? It is truely getting to be a "buyer beware environment". One has to wonder how many of the rare color high end bottles are the original color of the glass.
Our hobby has no set standards to guide us as to what should be disclosed. In the end that could be bad for the hobby and your investment in a bottle you pay an arm and a leg for because it is a seemingly unique color.
Thanks for your opinions on these issues.
Another issue recently came to my attention that I would appreciate other collectors' opinions. There are a couple of e-bay listings that offer rather common Florida sodas. The catch is these bottles are some shade of amber as a result of being irradiated. The bottles are advertised as rare and the shade of amber is described. The listing does not state anywhere that the bottles have been radiated. Do you think a seller has an obligation to disclose that a bottle has been through a process that changes its original color?
Looking at it from the seller's side, whats the harm in radiating a $5.00 bottle if the change means it becomes attractive at $20.00 to someone? It is truely getting to be a "buyer beware environment". One has to wonder how many of the rare color high end bottles are the original color of the glass.
Our hobby has no set standards to guide us as to what should be disclosed. In the end that could be bad for the hobby and your investment in a bottle you pay an arm and a leg for because it is a seemingly unique color.
Thanks for your opinions on these issues.