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! Twenty-one items – February 2, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/lmxvga8 20.5ins antique/vintage Bucks oak leaf design lace v.g.c. coll. Susan Cox Size:  9.5″ x 20.5″ Starting Price: 10.00 GBP Auction ends: Feb 02, 2014 10:15:43 PST Offered by: Ebay seller derbeatle, Cheltenham, United Kingdom Comments: Seller is offering a number … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Eighteen items – January 26, 2014

Greetings from Minnesota, where the windchill tonight will be about 40 degrees below zero. I have no idea if my flight back to New Mexico will happen tomorrow or not! Jan 27th update: Thermometer hit 17 degrees below zero last … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-four items – January 19, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/knhsxz2 MAGNIFICENT HEIRLOOM FINE ANTIQUE LACE SHAWL/VEIL PROBABLY BRUSSELS LACE Size:  104″ x 50″ Starting Price: 0.99 GBP Auction ends: Jan 19, 2014 13:17:55 PST Offered by: Ebay seller celestial20_0, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom Comments: A triangular shawl of Brussels bobbinlace application … Continue reading

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Special Ebay Alert! Early 18th c Belgian Needlelace

http://tinyurl.com/ktv6yja ANTIQUE VINTAGE HANDMADE MID 18th CENTURY BELGIUM NEEDLE LACE Size:  3″ x 10 feet Starting Price: $795.00 Auction ends: Jan 17, 2014 18:50:09 PST Offered by: Ebay seller yellow_daisy, Carlisle, Massachusetts, United States Comments: This is only the 4th Special … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Thirteen items – January 12, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/lwegrfn Stunning antique Victorian handmade Irish crochet lace shoulder collar capelet Size:  40 cm deep x 112 cm long. Starting Price: 82.00 GBP Auction ends: Jan 12, 2014 09:40:07 PST Offered by: Ebay seller linskapet, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway DG6 4UU, … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts – Eighteen items – January 5, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/pl32ejw Antique/vintage ivory tambour lace wedding veil Size:  70″ square Starting Price: 150.00 GBP Auction ends: Jan 05, 2014 12:03:47 PST Offered by: Ebay seller derbeatle, Cheltenham, United Kingdom Comments: A square veil or shawl of tambour embroidery on machine net. … Continue reading

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No Ebay Alerts today – January 2, 2014

Apologies yet again, I’ve got some deadlines on contract work that are interfering with my lace work – will resume Sunday. In fact I might just do the alerts only on Sundays in the immediate future. Laurie

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Ebay Alerts! Ten items – December 29, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/klfgbxy Ancienne dentelle noire au fuseaux Grammont Chantilly luny 464/47-1 Size:  27 cm x 850 cm Starting Price: 10.00 EUR Auction ends: Dec 30, 2013 11:04:06 PST Offered by: Ebay seller maison3.14, languedoc roussillon, France Comments: A flounce of heavy black … Continue reading

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No Ebay Alerts today – December 26, 2013

OK, I give up. Just too much holiday cheer. I’ll resume on Sunday, absolutely. But at least I’m getting some event announcements out – more to come! Laurie

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No Ebay Alerts – December 22, 2013

The Christmas lull on Ebay continues, so I give up and will resume again on Thursday where I see some interesting items coming up.  Will concentrate on getting some event announcements out over the next few days. Happy Holidays! Laurie

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