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! Nineteen items, June 27, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/nom6owd large shaped piece antique irish crochet trim excellent raised work Size: over 4″ deep, 58″ total length. Starting Price: 10.00 GBP Auction ends: Jun 28, 2013 07:03:30 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller reddolly123, Nottingham, United Kingdom Comments:  Irish Crochet, perhaps … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-one items – June 23, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/lddt4hv Antique/vintage Brussels bobbin lace flounce 3 yards 25 ins. Pat Earnshaw coll Size: 7″ x 3 yards Starting Price: 14.95 GBP Auction ends: Jun 23, 2013 10:42:26 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller derbeatle, Cheltenham, United Kingdom Comments:  Ex coll Pat … Continue reading

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No Ebay Alerts – June 20, 2013

No Ebay Alerts tomorrow since I’ll be at Brookhaven National Lab giving a talk on lace, http://tinyurl.com/kwgvtxxIt’s a public workshop and lecture, all welcome! Laurie  

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Ebay Alerts! Eleven items – June 16, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/m2xqbw3 ANTIQUE LACE FAN SCREEN, RARE HANDCARVED HANDLE, ” BRANCH WITH SNAKE “ Size: 7.5″ x 13.5″ Starting Price: $24.99 with reserve Auction ends: Jun 17, 2013 18:46:52 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller lmlantiques, Montevideo, Uruguay Comments:  A rigid fan with … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Fifteen items – June 13, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/jvn5uwk Early Antique Baby’s Cap or “Biggin” -Handmade Hollie Point Lace http://tinyurl.com/lcsxufm Early Antique Handmade Hollie Point Lace-Baby’s Collar/Bib http://tinyurl.com/kjl9arm Pair of Early Antique Handmade Lace Sleeves Size: cap: photographed on a doll with head circumference of 14″ collar: back of neck to … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-seven items – June 9, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/nxk7bpa Antique/vintage Carrickmacross lace collar Size: 17″ neckline, 6.5″ deep Starting Price: 14.95 GBP Auction ends: Jun 10, 2013 09:21:35 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller derbeatle, Cheltenham, United Kingdom Comments:  A Carrickmacross applique collar with deep points. Basically a shamrock design … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-five items – June 6, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/l2lgtw7 Vtg Antique Bucks Bobbin Lace Scarf Stole long length 90″ x 7 to 8″ wide English Size: ~90″ long Starting Price: $365.00  Buy-it-Now or Make Offer Auction ends: June 7, 2013 08:15:21 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller twist-in-time, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-four items – June 2, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/lvfygeu Lovely Piece of Antique Bucks Lace 31″ x 3-5/8″ Size: 3-5/8″ x 31″ Starting Price: 9.49 GBP Auction ends: June 3, 2013 10:22:11 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller isohex, Tyne-Wear,, United Kingdom Comments:  Short segment of a floral Bucks border. … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-four items – May 30, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/qcrpmsk Two small lengths antique/vintage Honiton lace – bird and butterfly Size: each 2.5″ x 17″ Starting Price: 4.95 GBP Auction ends: May 31, 2013 10:52:55 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller derbeatle, Cheltenham, United Kingdom Comments:  Two short lengths of Honiton … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twelve items – May 26, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/ns7nzp4 Antique Victorian Large Mother of Pearl Brussels Point De Gaze Fan. Size: 13.75″ long Starting Price: 180.00 GBP Auction ends: May 26, 2013 11:59:22 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller davidcharles1946, Warwickshire, United Kingdom Comments:  A large fan of Carrickmacross applique … Continue reading

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