Definitions of Condition

DEFINITIONS OF CONDITION

Important Message: The following definitions for the condition of glassware sold in The Joy of Cocktails are broad descriptions. Please be sure to read the Condition Notes of any item you're interested in for detailed descriptions of condition for that particular item.

Mint
An item designated "Mint" in The Joy of Cocktails is like new, out of the box. This means not even a minimal about of wear often attributed to Vintage itesm. We apply rigorous evaluation before we assign this condition to one of our products. Mint may have "as made" flaws such as air bubbles in the glass or surface imperfections incurred during the manufacturing process.

Mint - Rare
This means not only like new, out of the box, but very hard to find or rare. In today's context the "hard to find" metric is applied to items for which zero to minimal other onlnie references can be found. Mint-Rare may have "as made" flaws such as air bubbles in the glass or surface imperfections incurred during the manufacturing process.

Near Mint
We'll use this designation when we know the glass is in impeccably good condition for its age, yet it's not quite brand-new-out-of-the-box Mint condition, just to err on the side of caution.

Excellent
To be deemed Excellent, and not Mint, means that the product shows some of the normal wear and tear associated with vintage glassware. This means light surface scratches, and maybe some wear to paint, gold gilt, etc., applied to the surface. No glassware with chips, flea bites or cracks can be labeled Excellent. Excellent may have "as made" flaws such as air bubbles in the glass or surface imperfections incurred during the manufacturing process.

Excellent - Rare
All the characteristics of Excellent combined with being scarce or hard to find. Excellent-Rare may have "as made" flaws such as air bubbles in the glass or surface imperfections incurred during the manufacturing process.

Good
To be deemed Good the piece has more obvious signs of wear and tear associated with being a well used, vintage glass object, such as surface scratches, worn gold gilt or paint, etc. Glassware with chips, flea bites or cracks cannot be labeled Good.

Good - Rare
The same characteristics as Good except it's rare and hard-to-find. 

Imperfect - Rare
If something is listed as an Imperfect-Rare item it's because despite it's flaws, it's status as very rare may still be of value.