Just got the notice in my email that someone had responded to my post. First I would like to say that I think that is a very good addition to TCB. I don't know how long Greg has had the email notice set up but it is a good idea that I have found valuable on other groups and boards that I read.

Anyways, as I came back here to see what the reply was I had another thought that I think is the same principle of the clean or not to clean. Actually 2 thoughts. First was all the times on Antiques Roadshow and other similar programs where appraisers had the sad responsibility to tell a collector that the piece that they had was extremely old, somewhat rare and WOULD be worth a significant amount more if they hadn't refinished the piece. They often say to clean the items and so forth but NEVER refinish or remove the existing finish of an item. One appraiser actually, as I recall, suggested to leave the rings on the tabletops from drinks etc. rather than sand down the top and redo it. The rings add cheracter and show that the table has had a useful life. Personally, I am not so sure of that extent of it but to each his own I guess.

The second is a situation that hits me a bit personally. I went to a Military School for High School. About 9 years ago the school closed it's doors and has since been torn down. They merged my school with another not far away. Many of the statues and other artifacts that adorned the campus where I attended have been given new homes and are displayed prominantly around the campus of the other school. There was one bust in particular, of the founders son, one of the former superintendants, of the school. The statue is made of Bronze and had a rich dark brown patina while I was there. We did go down from time to time and when cleaning the plaques and other artwork did clean the Colonel's likeness. However we never removed that rich brown finish. There would be bright highlights and such that would come out when you buffed with a dry cloth but it was basically dark brown and old looking. When visiting the school not long ago, I found that they had polished the bust to a high polish gold appearance. Being a Military Academy they obviously have a thing for spit and polish. However, my feeling, is that there are certain things that should be left as is. When collecting something as antique or for nostalgia, I think there is a certain charm to having the item actually look like it is from that age and time. So, maintain, clean and care for your collections but me?, I will let the existing wear and age show. A big part of my collecting is taking things and basically freezing them in time. I have no interest in trying to roll back their age.