Category Archives: Ebay Alerts!

I now do these posts every Sunday, but will also add things throught the week that might end before the next Sunday. Not only is it an opportunity to make collectors aware of fast-moving listings, but it gives me the chance to talk about lace, giving individual examples my full attention. I don’t like to do big postings covering an entire category of lace – I would rather delve into pieces one at a time. It’s the microscopic, rather than the macroscopic approach.

I select the pieces based on what appeals to me – I never take solicitations from sellers (and I have been asked). If I seem to be favoring certain dealers, it is, to put it bluntly, because they are consistently listing the best material. I am not on a mission to correct misinformation, or to denigrate any type of lace. I am giving my own opinion, and if that conflicts with what a seller has written, chalk it up to free speech. I sometimes, but not often, contact sellers for clarification, or to discuss my comments before they are posted, but I’m trying to speak for the lace and the lacemaker first and foremost.

There are a few thresholds for a piece to be considered for posting. Condition is important. I won’t review a good piece if the condition is poor, unless there is an overwhelming consideration of rarity or provenance. I also don’t resonate a lot with short samples, even though the lace may be very good, the same goes for different laces posted in one lot. Presentation does count, if a photo is so poor or lacking in the closeup detail needed to tell if it is handmade, then the item will be passed by. I also try not to review the same piece more than once – if I do it’s a mistake. If a piece is relisted I try to update that information on the original Ebay Alert, but it’s hard to keep up. I will also issue Special Ebay Alerts outside the Sun/Thurs postings for extraordinary pieces.

I make it a habit to post pieces on which I would be likely to bid; I think it unethical to ‘reserve’ things for myself by leaving them off this list. I also try hard to avoid any discussion of price – the bidding history and final price is available on Ebay and tells that story much better than I can. I do add the final price and number of bidders to the review after the auction is over, and I am organizing all the items into a final summary to eventually be posted on the LaceNews Web Site. I do keep track of far more than I actually post, in fact only about 25% of what I follow makes it to an Ebay Alert.

The descriptions of the laces looks rather strictly formatted, but has undergone some evolution, and I am considering adding a separate catorgory where I can discuss dating issues. I’ve recently completely redone the condition comments, dividing these into four categories. ‘Modification’ is meant to describe any change from the original form of the piece. ‘Damage’ involves breaks or tears; something that would have to be repaired by a knowledgeable lacemaker. ‘Soilage’ indicates staining, discoloration, rust spots, and something called ‘patina’, a concept not well understood. I also note if any recent washing has taken place. The last condition category is ‘finish’, and by this I mean creasing, wrinkling, shrinkage; anything that affects the condition of the lace but is not actual damage.

Some people think it isn’t worthwhile to buy on Ebay because the quality is poor. I hope they keep thinking that way so there is less competition. The truth is very different. Ebay and related sites are increasingly accepted alternative selling forums, and even longtime antique dealers ignore them at their peril.
By the way, Ebay no longer lets you see purchaser identifications. Everything has been reduced to cryptic initials and stars. Mine are a***s for my lswaters account. I do have one more account, lacenews619, and I’m actually not sure what the initials are for that one.

Ebay Alerts! Thirty-six items – November 9, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/m9a64ep 19thC Handmade Italian Burano Needlelace Lg Berthe Lace Collar Nice Condition Size: 40″ neckline, outside edge 96″, 7″ deep Starting Price: $4.99 with reserve. Auction ends: Nov 9, 2014, 07:15 AM, PST Offered by: Ebay seller mctiques, Winterport, Maine, United … Continue reading

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No Ebay Alerts today – November 1, 2014

Apologies, no Ebay Alerts today, I’ve got a big deadline with my contract work on Monday. Will try to get something out after that. Laurie

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Ebay Alerts! Thirty-seven items – October 26, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/pz42nzw 1.7m PRETTY ANTIQUE HONITON APPLIQUE LACE SHAWL COLLAR VEIL DRESS VINTAGE FLORAL Size: 170cm sides and lower edge, 19 cm max depth. Starting Price: 19.00 GBP Auction ends: Oct 26, 2014, 11:14 AM, PDT Offered by: Ebay seller paretty-things1, … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Thirty-four items – October 19, 2014

Note – Ebay has just changed the way it lists the ending time of the auctions, so I’m switching to Mountain Standard Time (MST), instead of the usual Pacific Daylight Time PDT. http://tinyurl.com/mfwpwvt Stunning Victorian Brussels Lace Wedding Hankderchief Size: … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Thirty-five items – October 12, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/m38bgge Beautiful Antique Handmade Brussels Point de Gaze Lace Bertha Collar Size: 48″ neckline, 6″ deep Starting Price: 92.00 GBP Auction ends: Oct 12, 2014 07:57:07 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller pbur3053, Selkirk, United Kingdom Comments: A Point de Gaze … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-two items – October 5, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/m3zzwtw Victorian Spanish silver blonde lace mantilla/fascinator with original note Size: 24″ x 57″ Starting Price: 25.00 GBP Auction ends: Oct 05, 2014 03:39:31 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller reddolly123, East Anglia, United Kingdom Comments: A white or cream silk blonde … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Ten items – September 28, 2014

Apologies, I spent most of the day in Santa Fe buying a new car, so am a little behind in the Alerts. I’ll add more shortly. http://tinyurl.com/lbld8pn ANTIQUE BEAUTIFUL BRUSSELS PONT DE GAZE HAND LACE EDGING FLOUNCE 80 in x 5 … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts for 9/21/2014 – update

Just added 10 new items to the 9/21/2014 Ebay Alerts, mainly from overseas.

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Ebay Alerts! Thirty-three items – September 21, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/kp9dssv Honiton antique lace hanky with original note+1 cuff +lovely fragment Size: not given Starting Price: 20.00 GBP Auction ends: Sep 21, 2014 06:29:20 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller reddolly123, Nottingham, United Kingdom Comments: A Honiton handkerchief, cuff and fragment. Handkerchief … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Thirty-nine items – September 14, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/ks3km5o Antique LARGE HM Needle Lace Cotton Collar-Very Fine Work Size: 66″ circumference, 5″ deep Starting Price: $29.99 Auction ends: Sep 14, 2014 09:25:16 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller ogop, Lincoln, Massachusetts, United States Comments: A bertha of an indeterminate bobbinlace … Continue reading

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