Inventories	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	Note 3, Inventories: Inventories are measured using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuation because it results in a better matching of current costs and revenues. The excess of current costs over our carrying value of inventories was approximately $19,947,000 and $19,177,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The use of the LIFO valuation method as compared to the FIFO method had a negative impact on our cost of goods sold of approximately $770,000 in 2018, and $1,231,000 in 2017 and a positive impact of approximately $1,448,000 in 2016. During 2018 and 2016, there were liquidations of LIFO inventory layers. The effect of the liquidations (included in the preceding LIFO impact amounts) decreased cost of goods sold by immaterial amounts. We believe this information is meaningful to the users of these consolidated financial statements for analyzing the effects of price changes, for better understanding our financial position and for comparing such effects with other companies.

Note 3, Inventories:

Inventories are measured using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuation because it results in a better matching of current costs and revenues. The excess of current costs over our carrying value of inventories was approximately $19,947,000 and $19,177,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The use of the LIFO valuation method as compared to the FIFO method had a negative impact on our cost of goods sold of approximately $770,000 in 2018, and $1,231,000 in 2017 and a positive impact of approximately $1,448,000 in 2016. During 2018 and 2016, there were liquidations of LIFO inventory layers. The effect of the liquidations (included in the preceding LIFO impact amounts) decreased cost of goods sold by immaterial amounts. We believe this information is meaningful to the users of these consolidated financial statements for analyzing the effects of price changes, for better understanding our financial position and for comparing such effects with other companies.