Following favorable comments on a list I posted on items often mistaken for or mislisted as salts, I have taken a few pictures of some examples I have of such pieces. Some of these are so close to the shape and size of salts that they are included in my collection. A purist would never let them in, and they are not salts. Some sellers on eBay list these correctly, but many list them as salts, whether out of lack of knowledge or the feeling that salts sell better than another item, it is difficult to say. Click on any photo in this article to see a full size photo.

The first pair of porcelain bowls are sake cups. The one on the left is included in one of the Smith books on open salts with the notation that it is especially beautiful. It is beautiful, but it's not a salt. The one on the right has a little tube on one side that you can blow into producing a whistle. The only explanation I've been given it that it lets people know your glass is empty when you blow.

The second photo illustrates open salts that have a companion covered mustard pot. The little slot in the lid is their distinguishing feature. Each of these little sets also has a pepper pot as well. I see lots of clear glass mustards on eBay, some quite tall and narrow. I don't have one of these, but the shape, as well as the slot for a spoon in the lid, gives them away.

The third photo shows two small intaglio trays that were most likely made as individual ash receivers or ash trays. On the left is an amber one with a classical scene, possibly from Greek mythology. On the right is a clear piece with the more unusual feature of paint on the base intaglio design. These little pieces, about 2-1/2" long, are interesting to salt collectors and reside in many salt collections, including mine.

The fourth photo is of some children's toy sets. I had the little white china sugar bowl in my salt collection until I found the matching creamer. The clear glass one is frequently seen on eBay, the Lacy Daisy pattern small bowl from a 7-piece berry set. The large bowl often gets separated from the six little individual bowls, and they become labeled salts because they are exactly the right size. The large bowl is the size of an adult berry bowl.

Nut dishes, seen in the fifth photo, are also in many salt collections, and some were even marketed by their makers as both nut and salt dishes. On the left is a Herend nut dish, really a bit wide to call a salt since it's over 3" in diameter. In the center is a blue stretch glass piece by Fostoria. These are found in many colors and glass types and make excellent salts. The one with the painted nuts is Nippon and declares its intended use quite clearly.

Three toothpick holders are seen in this photo. They are generally taller and narrower proportionately than salts. The Nippon with three tiny feet and raised enamel decoration is in my salt collection. I can't even pretend that the tall flow blue china piece is anything except a toothpick. The blue aurene piece is by Lundberg Studios in California, a contemporary piece. It's just too large and tall to be a salt, and Lundberg did produce many salts for comparison.

Here, from left to right, are an inkwell, an open salt, and a pomade jar. The pretty red cut-to-clear pieces are much alike, the rim on the inkwell gives it away, as does the rim on the pomade jar, used for cosmetic creams. Some salts have rims, but they aren't usually smaller than the bowl and suitable for a lid. The salt here is 2" in diameter, individual size.

There are a few other categories that I thought of after doing these photos such as desk and dresser dishes, small pin dishes, and all those dishes that are much too large, but I think you get the idea. Few, if any, salts were made with lids, so those pretty little boxes with lids aren't salts. I try not to be the eBay police when I see all these kinds of pieces listed as open salts, but I do have to keep myself in check. Many of these articles are similar enough to salts that they take their place in open salt collections, but collectors know the differences, and some are very particular about identification.

I'm pleased to see that some of the GPSA members have an interest in salts, and I hope this little article is more helpful than confusing.

Featured Sellers

Recently featured sellers in the GPSA in September were gabla, godmother, jpthings, and wgpaul; and in October: 278stuff, gailsgoodthings, lan5, shellysthings1, and somelikeithot!. We encourage you to click on their seller IDs and visit their eBay auctions.

by bpprat Bill

Here's a "great glass" site, which, among other things, features various lists and tables of information which it hopes may be of use to both glass collectors and dealers.

by wgpaul Bill

This amazing 6¼” transferware plate features a cartouche of Lafayette with the words Welcome Lafayette. It also depicts a bridge with the caption “The Aqueduct Bridge at Little Falls.”

We believe it commemorates the return of the Marquis de Lafayette to the United States in 1825 as “The Nation’s Guest." Lafayette was wildly popular due to his role in helping the Americans win their independence. Streets, schools and even cities were named in his honor. We also believe the bridge shown may be the Aqueduct Bridge in Little Falls, NY. This bridge was on the famed Erie Canal which opened in 1825.

This plate has interest for three collecting areas – early transferware, Revolutionary War buffs and Erie Canal collectors. It is not surprising that the plate sold recently on eBay for $8,421.99. Congratulations to eBay seller, pennsylvaniaoldstuff on a great sale of an important piece of U.S. history.

It happens every day! You anticipate receiving an item you won at auction. It arrives, and you open the box to see...pottery shards or slivers of glass!

Have you noticed how some auction photos just seem to scream “BUY ME!” while others are so fuzzy and far away you’re not sure what is being offered?

We share a few practical tips on photo taking and packing to help you get that item safely to your buyer! Our GPSA website offers a more in-depth look at valuable packing and photo tips. Please visit and have a look around!

How to Photograph Vaseline Glass! (courtesy of mrvaselineglass Dave)

• start with one of those priority mailing boxes, seal one end, put a heavy book inside. That makes the backdrop to put your black velvet drape over it, which then also cascades down under where the glass sits.
• next, take two of the big priority boxes, and put them to each side and slightly in front of the backdrop box that already has the black velvet draped over it.
• balance your 18" self-contained $20 blacklight STIK from Wally-world on those two boxes, so it is elevated above the photography area. The STIK has a backside where the wiring goes through, and so I don't get glare, that base points toward the camera.
• I forgot to mention....I do this on the bathroom vanity, cuz I can close the door and have it dark in the daytime (no window in that bathroom).
• Set up the tripod with the digital camera. I shoot from about 1 - 1 1/2 ft. away, depending on the height of the object being photographed. Closer if it is something small like a 3" posey vase.
• I turn on the light behind me that is over the shower and that is my only light on, other than the blacklight. That allows the camera to actually focus if it decides it is not getting enough light to reach automatic focus. It also comes in handy to leave that light on in the instance where there is painted decoration that you want to see other than 'black' and 'green'. I take a photo with the shower light on, and one with it off with only the UV as my light source. Whichever one turns out best is the one I use. The tripod and a strong UV are the most important. You can seldom get a good shot if you are trying to hand-hold the camera.
• A good photo editor program like Photoshop or PaintShopPro takes care of any enhancements that are needed, such as brightening, improving contrast, or tweeking the sharpness of the image if it is just a tad out of focus.

No reserve clearance sales, less than TWO DOLLARS!

GPSA sellers are still listing clearance items. All items start at an opening bid of $1.99 or less. Don’t miss this opportunity to pick up a bargain from one of our reliable GPSA sellers! All sellers abide by the GPSA guidelines found on our home page.

Find a bargain! Deals and Steals!

To see Shazaam listings at any time, click here. Check back often — sellers add items all the time!

We’re so happy to have you join us!!

The following eBay sellers became GPSA members in August and September 2006. As members of the GPSA, they have committed to upholding the standards of the Glass & Pottery Sellers’ Association.

brendajo0627

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