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.

No Ebay Alerts today, December 19, 2013

We’ve had some fantastic lace listings on Ebay in the past few week, but things have quieted down a lot for the holidays.  Therefore I’m foregoing today’s alerts.  But take a look at 141142046230, the Carrickmacross dress front, and 2 … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Eight items – December 15, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/kb9zfsf Antique Victorian lace parasol cover, Application de Bruxelles aux Fuseaux c1860 Size:  22″ diameter (if I’m reading correctly) Starting Price: 10.00 GBP Auction ends: Dec 15, 2013 12:22:26 PST Offered by: Ebay seller poppy1109, Rochester, Kent, United Kingdom Comments: A … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Fourteen items – December 12, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/l9nyfvg Vintage Handmade Rosaline Bobbin Lace Cuffs Early 20th Century Size:  each 4″ x 26″ around. Starting Price: $49.00 Auction ends: Dec 13, 2013 06:56:11 PST Offered by: Ebay seller twist-in-time, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, United States Comments: Two cuffs of Belgian Rosaline, later … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-one items – December 9, 2013

This is a continuation from yesterday’s Alerts. There’s quite a pileup of good lace on Ebay during the holiday season. http://tinyurl.com/menqa7e ANTIQUE HM 19THC BRABANT COMPLETE FLOUNCE/ LOVELY DESIGN Size:  9″ x 71″ Starting Price: $299.00 Buy-it-Now Auction ends: Dec 10, … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-two items – December 8, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/ly3jwnh ANTIQUE HM EARLY 18THC VERY RARE RESEAU VENISE POINT LACE Size:  2.25″ x 43″ Starting Price: $950.00 Buy-it-Now or Make Offer Auction ends: Dec 08, 2013 15:55:14 PST Offered by: Ebay seller snakey03rr, Bourbon, Missouri, United States Comments: The name … Continue reading

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No Ebay Alerts today – November 28, 2013

My apologies, I’m leaving for New York for a week on Saturday for some contract work, and am overloaded with preparations. I’ll resume the alerts on Sunday Dec 8th – or maybe the Thursday before if things aren’t too busy. … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-six items – November 24, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/mv9lmde Made in Sweden Lacemaking Bobbin Lace Roller Pillow European Knyppeldyna Size:  ~24″ diameter. Starting Price: $45.00 Auction ends: Nov 24, 2013 15:10:34 PST Offered by: Ebay seller happyspappy, Highland, Michigan, United States Comments: A Christina pillow – the earlier version. … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twelve items – November 21, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/mdhaugo ANTIQUE LACE 18THC HM POINT d’ANGLETERRE LAPPETS/ PAT EARNSHAW COLLECTION Size:  4″ x 25″ each Starting Price: $850.00 Buy-it-Now or Make Offer Auction ends: Nov 21, 2013 13:07:04 PST Offered by: Ebay seller snakey03rr, Spokane, Washington, United States Comments: This … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Nine items – November 17, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/k7dctqp 2 lengths handmade Brussels Duchesse Duchese lace needlelace inserts 104″ x 7″ Size:  7″ x 52″ Starting Price: $325.00 Buy-it-Now or Make Offer Auction ends: Nov 17, 2013 18:00:36 PST Offered by: Ebay seller wordlythings, Pepperell, Massachusetts, United States Comments: … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Fourteen items – November 14, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/n97heo6 ANTIQUE LACE – DUCHESSE LACE / MIXED BRUSSELS 47.5 INCHES LONG (121 CMS) http://tinyurl.com/n97heo6 ANTIQUE LACE – DUCHESSE LACE LENGTH 5 FT. LONG -( 152 CMS) BY 9 DEEP Size:  4″ x 47.5″, 9″ x 5 feet. Starting Price: 45.00 GBP, … Continue reading

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