I hastily collapsed the monopod and went over to the table to investigate. Bob had a sweet little Nelson Distilling Co. glass in his hand (below) and was asking the dealer how much he had on it. The dealer hmmed and harrred and replied "how about $25?" Bob came back at him with $20 - the offer was accepted and I groaned both inwardly and outwardly.
The dealer caught my look of despair and later would stop me and quiz me about what had happened.
Unfortunately the only other glasses on the shelf were a red Woodland from Crigler & Crigler, and a badly faded Mazeppa. I passed on the Mazeppa at $15, but the next day decided to come back and take it as a place-holder, only to find a lady in the process of buying it for $40! The glassmaster is obviously losing his touch.
Bob Mraz beat me out on two other deals also. Both times I arrived too late to see what it was that he'd found, but given the size of his collection and his nose for glass, I'd guess that they were something good.
That was the end of the glass excitement for the day. Some time later, I saw a familiar figure with a binder checking out glasses and other items on the Denis' sales table (right).
Ken Schwartz had decided to make the trip from northern CA after all, although he vowed never again after fighting area traffic.
"Hey Robin", he exclaimed, "howya doing, I just saw an old guy buy a label-under for $145!!! I immediately offered him $200 but he wouldn't take it!!!"
Ken Schwartz - meet Bob Mraz!