Hints
and Tips 
Hints
and Tips We have gathered information from other collectors who have hints and tips to share. Each of these generous individuals is credited at the bottom of the informative web page article that they provided when possible. This page will continue to grow and no Table of Contents has been provided. Please scroll through this page to see what has been accumulated here. We are sure you will agree that a scroll through this page is worth the time. More of this type of information is always welcome, so e-mail us with web page articles you have found that should be included with the following articles (after receiving permission from the author, of course).
The U.S.A. mark is not unique. In fact it was probably used at one time or another by every pottery in the United States during the 30's and 40's. Sometimes the mark is used with a number or has a unique characteristic (the S is larger in Brush's USA) that helps with identification. Other times it is with serifs (USA) or sanserif (USA). Or it can be with periods (U.S.A or U.S.A.) Still other times the "U" has the tail like a large version of the small "u". And yet other times the mark will look hand written or the "S" will be a bit crooked.When a group of pottery, by a known maker, can be shown to have the same USA mark consistently (like with Brush) we can attribute that form with that maker. But, be careful, it might not always be so.Sometimes someone will recognize the shape or glaze to help with attribution. But most of the time it remains unknown and unidentified. Later in the development of this page, we will try to show pictures of the various USA marks and the attribution assigned to them. This will be a guide only, someplace to start the search, the style, glaze, and shape will be a more sure method of identification.
Chat Room Abbreviations
For more information about the USA usage here is an informative site: USA Potteries: An Incestuous Business
{{{ }}} Hugs ~~~ Handshakes or Rasberries AAMOF As A Matter Of Fact ADN Any Day Now AFK Away From Keyboard ASAP As Soon As Possible ATK At The Keyboard BAC By Any Chance BAK Back At Keyboard BBIAF Be Back In A Few BBL Be Back Later BBS Be Back Soon BFN Bye For Now BIL Brother In Law BRB Be Right Back BTDT Been There / Done That BTW By The Way CYE Check Your E-mail CU L8R See You Later CYA See Ya DW Da Wife, Darling Wife, or ??? DH Da Husband, Darling Husband, or ??? DIL Daughter In Law FAAK Falling Asleep At Keyboard FIL Father In Law FWIW For What Its Worth FYI For Your Information GMTA Great Minds Think Alike GR8 Great HLOL Hysterically Laughing Out Loud HTH Hope This Helps IAE In Any Event IDK I Dont Know / I Didn't Know IMHO In My Humble Opinion IMNSHO In My Not So Humble Opinion IOW In Other Words IRL In Real Life ISRN I'll Stop Rambling Now ITA I Totally Agree IWSITM Its Worthless Sent It To Me = Don't know what it is but I want it! JK Joke J/K Just Kidding LMAO / LMBO Laughing My Arse Off / Laughing My Butt Off LOL Laughing Out Loud LSHMSH Laughing So Hard My Side Hurts LTNS Long Time No See MMOB Minding My Own Business MYOB MYOB Mind Your Own Business NP No Problem NPW No Problem Whatsoever OIC Oh, I see OMG Oh My Gawd OTOH On The Other Hand PIMP Peeing In My Pants POV Point Of View ROFL / ROTFL Rolling On The Floor Laughing RSN Real Soon Now SIL Son In Law / Sister In Law SITD Still In The Dark SS So Sorry TPTB The Powers That Be TTFN Ta Ta For Now TTYL Talk To You Later WB Welcome Back WKTZ Walmart Kmart Target Zayres = inexpensive contemporary glassware WTG Way To Go
Rating Book Conditions
I have found this list in several source documents and do not know to whom I should give credit, but be assured is is the terminology used by most reputable book sellers and are not my words.
As New is to be used only when the book is in the same immaculate condition in which it was published. There can be no defects, no missing pages, no library stamps, etc., and the dustjacket (if it was issued with one) must be perfect, without any tears. (The term As New is preferred over the alternative term Mint to describe a copy that is perfect in every respect, including jacket.)
Fine approaches the condition of As New, but without being crisp. For the use of the term Fine there must also be no defects, etc., and if the jacket has a small tear, or other defect, or looks worn, this should be noted.
Very Good can describe a used book that does show some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either binding or paper. Any defects must be noted.
Good describes the average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted.
Fair is a worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, jacket (if any), etc. may also be worn. All defects must be noted.
Poor describes a book that is sufficiently worn that its only merit is as a Reading Copy because it does have the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. This copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.
Ex-library copies must always be designated as such no matter what the condition of the book. Book Club editions must always be noted as such no matter what the condition of the book.
Binding Copy describes a book in which the pages or leaves are perfect but the binding is very bad, loose, off, or nonexistent. Dustjacket in all cases, the lack of a dustjacket should be noted if the book was issued with one.
Beginners Guide to HTML
We found this link about HTML use and thought it might be helpful to others: NCSA Guide to HTML
How To Confirm Bakelite
Here is a link to a good site for information about Bakelite Bakelite Tests that we have found useful and thought others might be able to use it too.
Flea Market Finder
As you may know we have moved a lot in the last couple of years and are always in search of the nearest Fleam Markets. This site Flea Market Guide has been very useful. Hope you also find it useful.