"You break it, you bought/own/take it" ("Pottery Barn rule") (1957)

[Bapopik at AOL.COM]

Keyes's QUOTE VERIFIER mentions "The Pottery Barn rule: You break it, you
own it." No citation is given before 2002. The Verdict is: "Credit Thomas
Friedman, delete 'Pottery Barn.'"
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My mother put a sign like this up in her garage sales when I was a kid.
Thomas Friedman has little or nothing to do with it. Keyes neglects to cite the
1984 Pottery Barn article below.
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_Display  Ad 16 -- No Title_
(http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=458463842&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1149439
901&clientId=65882)
Los Angeles Times (1886-Current  File). Los Angeles, Calif.: Feb 8, 1957. p.
18 (1 page)
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Christopher Leng, a sterling gentleman who operates the Mei Wing Oriental
Arts and Gift Shop in the T&C (Town and Country--ed.) is doing his part in
forming the new language. A nice little inconspicuous sign in his place that  seems
 to be all-encompassing reads:
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"If you break it--You bought it."
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_A  LINE O' TYPE OR TWO; DON'T CHEER-- _
(http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=1&did=577933162&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HN
P&TS=1149440085&clientId=65882)
Chicago Tribune  (1963-Current file). Chicago, Ill.: Aug 8, 1964. p. W_A12 (1
page)
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The painted sign on the shelf of valuable excavation relics in the Main
Street gallery simply stating, "If you break it--you BOUGHT it!"
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_Pottery  Barn's Sale Strategy_
(http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=118770006&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1149
440299&clientId=65882)
New York Times (1857-Current  file). New York, N.Y.: Apr 19, 1984. p. D5 (1
page)
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The stock stood unaccompanied by "You break it, you take it" signs, as in
many other shops.

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