posted on September 3, 2002 01:05:02 PM new
A friend just called and said a friend of hers, elderly couple, asked if she wanted to buy their old set of Fiesta dishes, about 150 pieces. My friend isn't interested but passed this on to me.
Before I look into it any further, I need some advice. These older people are saying they've had the dishes "for years." How can I tell the older from the new reproductions, besides the obvious wear signs, etc.?
And a ballpark guess on what I need to offer them--$$ per piece, etc. What is the lowest you'd offer for an older Fiesta set in good condition, 150 pieces? (I know there are lots of variables here, and I haven't seen the dishes yet nor have I done my research on value.)
posted on September 3, 2002 01:12:11 PM new
Basically you can tell by the color,the original colors were not reproduced such as the cobalt blue, dark orange,they made a real crummy looking green, a crappy cream color and an ugly looking yellow.The reproduction colors are lighter pastel colors.My mother had over 100 pcs of the original back in the 50's.I still have a mixing bowl.
posted on September 3, 2002 02:19:21 PM new
Actually, there are 11 colors (generally speaking) that you should look for.
The original colors were:
Fiesta Red* (an orange, really)
Cobalt Blue Green Ivory Yellow
Within a year or two, they added:
Turquoise (which is usually considered an 'original' color.)
In the 1950s, over a period of time, they dropped some of the colors and added:
Gray Rose Forest Green Chartreuse Medium Green
I may not be using the exact, correct name on some of these, as I'm writing from memory, but the basics are there.
*Fiesta red was made in the very early years, but during WWII, the government took over all the uranium, which was an ingredient in the glaze. If memory serves, uranium was not available again until the 1970s or so - but by then Fiesta's heyday was over.
But there is so much variation in prices that you really need to do some extensive studying if very much money is involved. A 9" dinner plate in one color may be very common, while the 10" is extremely rare - and vice versa.
Some items in 'common colors' were only made the first year or so, and so are quite rare now. Some of the '50s colors were also made for only a short time, especially in the 'old style' (it was "re-styled" about 1960), so you have a bewildering number of variable factors.
Then there are some exceptions to the rules. Several years ago, I came across 5 Fiesta juice glasses (for .10 each) - 2 gray, 1 beige, and 2 SHELL PINK (never an 'old' Fiesta color). The lady went on and on about how old they were. I was skeptical, but they did appear to be older, so - even though four were damaged (2 very minutely, and 2 more so) - I figured I couldn't go too wrong for fifty cents.
As it turned out, they were part of a promotional set from the early days - the Fiesta "Jubilee" juice set. The one perfect one sold for 127.50, and with the sales of the other 4, my .50 investment turned into more than 200.00.
Perhaps you should visit first, and inventory the items with exact measurements and colors (and 'style') - explaining to the owners that you will have to research it before you know what might be a fair price....especially if they are wanting you to make an offer.
Needless to say, if they tell you they want a hundred dollars or so for all of it....
posted on September 3, 2002 09:36:43 PM new
Thanks, gc2, for all your trouble here! I really appreciate it.
I am crazy about Bauer pottery, the ringware colors, but haven't liked Fiesta because what I saw was so watered down and insipid looking. Now it appears that they had bright colors much like Bauer, at first, and then changed them.
I realize how much work is involved in researching these, and of course I haven't even seen the dishes yet. If they offer it to me for $1 a dish I'll take it immediately; there are numerous serving pieces and they want $200, I'll take it. Otherwise, further research will be necessary. Thanks again for your good information. ~Adele
posted on September 3, 2002 10:35:13 PM new
Where is this Fiesta Ware located?? If it is in the West Coast. I will guarantee to pay $500.00 & drive to pick it up!!!!
posted on September 3, 2002 11:20:12 PM new
Adele, Sanmar is right - and he would probably make out like a bandit, too!
Even if you had to pay a flat 5.00 per piece (750.00), you would still do well, especially if there are a number of serving pieces (assuming the pieces aren't chipped, etc.)....which isn't to say you should offer them that amount. If I were out "in the field" without any reference books, etc., and ran across this, I wouldn't hesitate to pay that much.
I haven't sold any Fiesta in awhile, but I doubt that even a common color saucer would bring less than 5.00 now.
Ah! I just remembered that the 'beige' color is called Ivory. I knew 'beige' didn't sound right, but just couldn't think what it was!
posted on September 4, 2002 09:42:35 AM new
gc2; You want to spoil my fun? Depending on the color, a cup & saucer price range from $10.00to $35.00. There are pieces that bring as much as $650.00. Mixing bowls can be as much as $150.00. Remember this is for MINT condition. No chips, cracks or crazing. There is a lot of "run of the mill" pieces around, but the serving pieces etc. are worth a fortune. I buy & sell china & have for many years. I am always on the lookout for Fiesta, also Desert Rose, Apple & Ivy by Franciscan.
posted on September 4, 2002 11:34:25 AM new
No, Sanmar, I know all too well how much fun it is. I hope you didn't take it wrong!
But apparently you did understand what I meant. If I saw it (and assuming it was in excellent condition), and they told me 750.00 firm for the 150 pieces, I would figure 'worst case scenario' - and buy it!
posted on September 4, 2002 05:38:24 PM new
This is indeed in Southern California but I get first dibs! I'll let you all know what becomes of all this. And thanks again for the good advice. Adele
posted on September 5, 2002 05:00:49 AM new
This is not true of all Fiesta pieces but it is a good indicator if you are in doubt of an old vs. new color -- check the footprint of the item. If it is totally glazed in color it is probably old. If it is unglazed (white), it is probably new.
posted on September 7, 2002 08:43:11 PM new
Oh my gosh. Here's the very latest on this! The man who is sort of the go-between on this says the owner has 195 pieces and wants $15,000. Says he may be willing to come down about 30%, or even 50% if I'm lucky. Owner claims that is the book value of his pieces. That is so far out of my league!
In the set's favor, it is 1950 and older. There are lots of the old red pieces and some medium green.
My feeling is that, even if I wanted to come up with $7,500 for this stuff, I do not want to tie up my money that long. And of course I'd have to see the dishes.
An alternative for me would be to sell them on consignment, taking a good 30 - 40% of the net profit. What I'd do is offer to sell maybe 3 pieces and see if he's happy with what happens.
I was bowled over by that $15,000 figure and do not trust it at all. Whatchoo think?
posted on September 7, 2002 10:45:38 PM new
Yks, when you came to what did you think. I am sure they will never get that price or even close to it. Probably not even 50% off the original price. I know that people are out to make money you don't have to fund the retirement. I'll make a bet Sanmar would have to think twice or maybe 3 times at that price. People have a different opinion than us sellers. I have a China Cabinet full of stuff and I know the value but I know that I will never get it and my conscience would never let me charge that much.
posted on September 8, 2002 02:19:51 AM new
many people think everything they own is worth full book value though.
An elderly gentleman in my area wanted me to list several things for him, including some very nice paintings his mother had done.
The problem was, he wanted full control over the sales, beginning bid (which would be alright), pictures taken at his house, item stayed at his house, money mailed to his house, then he would pay me in the end.
I just knew in my heart that this man would not be happy with the prices he got and I also knew I wanted control over the items until after the sale. So I declined the offer.
posted on September 8, 2002 07:38:27 AM new
Sometimes I think the older people get the more valuable they think their possessions are. That coin collection of theirs that has a book value of $5,000 and a street value of $3,000 is worth $8,000 in their estimation. It's like they have lost the ability to fairly judge the value of their own collectibles. It's usually a good practice to avoid people with attitudes like that.
posted on September 8, 2002 08:25:23 AM new
You are so right about me taking a second & third look. Aint nobody foolish enough to spend that kind of $$. I just had an experience like that yesterday on a set of Royal Albert. The man had looke at the prices that Replacements Ltd. sells pieces for & decided that was good for him too. I just politely told him that if he hadn't sold the set in 30 days to give me a call & I would make an offer. $3,00.00 for aset worth maybe $900 was too much for me.
posted on September 8, 2002 07:10:14 PM new
gc2 your right. I blame it on the appraisers that over price people's items. They need to get their heads out of the clouds and appraise the items not according to book price because everyone knows that that is out of control. People who write books also have their heads in the clouds. I have an item on eBay right now for $6.99, according to book value it is worth $50-$60 dollars. You are right no bids. Book prices mean zip to me.
Same with this Fiesta set, who said it was worth $15,000 dollars? I doubt if the people with the dishes know anything about these dishes. Do you think they were on the Road Show?
