To accurately describe the condition of a Longaberger item, we first state the overall condition from the scale below followed by a list of any specific unacceptable conditions that may exist from the checklist below.  For example: Mint; Near-Mint, minor shelf wear; Excellent, light wear on the bottom; Excellent, light crazing; Good, has several chipped splints; Poor, handle is cracked.  If our inspection did not reveal any specific unacceptable conditions, then none will be listed and the overall condition scale will apply.

Longaberger Condition Scale

Mint: New, never used or displayed, stored carefully, odor-free, no visible wear or imperfections, no fading of colored splints

Near-Mint: Same as mint but carefully displayed or very lightly used, visible signs of minor wear, use or display, no fading of colored splints

Excellent: Same as near-mint but displayed or lightly used, visible signs of light wear, use or display, may have slight fading of colored splints

Good: Same as excellent but visible signs of significant wear, use or display, may have significant fading of colored splints, basket integrity still good

Poor: Physical damage, water damage, warping or other damage to the basket’s integrity

Longaberger Condition Checklist

Baskets - Acceptable: Rough wood, small cracks around the tacks (character lines), a swirl or spot in the grain that has absorbed more stain (beauty marks), curled ends on the reinforcements, frayed trim strip due to the bend-under, settling of weaving anywhere between ½” to ¾ inches, a very small show of color under the colored weaves (should not bleed down the splints)

Baskets - Unacceptable: Chipped, cracked or missing splits, stains or foreign marks, odor, white spots where the stain didn’t cover the wood, large heavy patches of stain on a splint, a trim strip where the piece underneath can be popped out, two handles on the same basket that are uneven, a non-symmetrical basket, missing or popped out leather ears, missing the brass tag (if the basket came with one), popped out rivets in the handles, excessive bleeding of colored splints, missing weaver’s initials or date, missing Longaberger burned stamp (except on early, unmarked baskets)

Liners - Unacceptable: Worn spots, holes, fading, odor, stains

Protectors - Unacceptable: Chips, cracks, scratches, discoloration, bends

Pottery - Unacceptable: Chips, cracks, crazing, scratches