Each completed vase which met quality control standards was ground flat on the bottom and a concave area was ground out in the center. Here was etched the Fenton oval and "1975" plus the artists initial and number sequence were hand scribed. A photograph of a typical vase bottom with inscriptions is shown in my article "A Tale of Two Vases". A certificate booklet , signed, and including the Fenton corporate seal, also shown in my previous article, accompanied each piece.
   Pieces which did not meet standards were either ground down (back row - left) if there was a structural problem with the top - or satinized if the flaw was only in the pattern. From the numbers of these seconds pieces which appear on Ebay - there must have been considerable "spoilage". The seconds I have seen are lightly etched with the Fenton oval and "1975 S". Sometimes this marking is almost invisible.
   I believe only two Fenton craftsmen made all of the Barber pieces - David L Fetty and Delmer Stowasser. At last year’s National Fenton Glass Society Convention, Dave graciously gave a talk on the making of the Barber pieces. Each piece had to be individually blown, shaped, decorated and finished manually. Because of the amount of labor involved, retail prices were high. I have an original price sticker for a 0005ST Summer Tapestry and it is for $200. Think of that in 1975 dollars and what the price would be today just factoring in inflation. Because of the high prices, these vases sold slowly at best and it took some time before inventories were sold off. At any rate - Frank Fenton has been quoted as saying that the Barber undertaking was one of the biggest money losers that Fenton has undertaken.
   Compared to the original selling prices, you can buy these rare pieces today at bargain rates. I have purchased mine through Ebay and private sources at prices ranging from $250 to $450. Of course, as with any very limited hand made collection, prices will continue to rise as more collectors become interested and educated about these beautifully made pieces. Summer Tapestry seems to bring the highest price followed by the two Labyrinths , Cascade and Bittersweet Hanging Hearts. This is not in direct correlation to the numbers produces so it likely reflects the popularity of the color and design. All of the pieces I have seen for sale are in like new condition - probably reflecting 25 years of careful ownership for a limited edition piece of art. Many still have the original labels and paperwork - a further indication of the regard the owners had for them.
   Finally, I have a little story to relate about these pieces. An antique dealer in a rather remote small town attended a house sale where there was a full set of the ten Barber pieces plus five spares - all in the original sealed boxes - just as they had come from Fenton. It seems the owner of the home had been involved with Fenton sales many years ago and these had sat unsold since then. The dealer, not being especially familiar with the Barber Collection, thought she might be able to sell them in her shop as "nice vases" for about $100 each and so offered a low price for the lot. Her offer was accepted and she moved the collection to her place of business. A colleague suggested she try selling them a new way - on the Internet at Ebay. Needless to say, she was surprised and pleased with the results!!