What do the terms General Line and NIL mean?
General line items are pieces of glass that are in the yearly catalog or catalog supplements. They appear in the Fenton literature for the year that they are made. The tern NIL means not in line and those are usually pieces that have either been commissioned by a Fenton dealer such as an exclusive piece, a sample, or a whimsey. Another category often referred to as NIL are pieces that are considered after market pieces which are bought as blanks and then designed or painted by an outside artist who is not employed by the Fenton factory. After market pieces are not necessarily highly sought after by most collectors but those who want a special piece painted will often buy these pieces to have something that is a one of a kind pieces painted specifically for them. Some of the aftermarket pieces that are painted by former Fenton artists are still highly collectible if the collector is interested in collecting from a particular artist. Always remember to ask if these pieces have been fired
