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-four items – March 14, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/cfzp5tv Antique Bobbin Lace Winged Lion of Venice / St. Mark Box Venetian Venezia Size: 5″ square x 1″ deep Starting Price: $14.99 Auction ends: Mar 15, 2013 04:34:15 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller sea*nymph, Oakland Gardens, New York, United States … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twelve items – March 10, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/bzz3gar lovely antique handmade maltese lace silk handkerchief 12x13inchs Size: 12″ x 13″ Starting Price: 8.00 GPB Auction ends: Mar 12, 2013 05:45:37 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller reddolly123, Nottingham, United Kingdom Comments: A silk Maltese handkerchief. Fairly typical design of … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Nineteen items, March 7, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/crgfeyz Antique 19th C Brussels Lace Flounce 14 FEET Huge Gorgeous Size: 36″ x ~14 feet Starting Price: $9.99 Auction ends: Mar 08, 2013 05:37:55 PST Offered by: Ebay seller mztiqueu, Norwich, New York, United States Comments: A very long, very … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Fifteen items – March 3, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/dyoyzjr ANTIQUE FAN-CIRCA 18THC. MILANESE LACE Size: 5.5″ x 42″ Starting Price: $85.00 Auction ends: Mar 04, 2013 10:11:52:07 PST Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States Comments: Obviously not a fan, but a good border of Milanese, … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-six items – February 28, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/cxtxdfm Antique/vintage chemisette with Carrickmacross guipure lace collar c.1860 Size: neck edge 14.8″, back width 5″ Starting Price: 14.95 GBP Auction ends: Mar 01, 2013 10:19:50 PST Offered by: Ebay seller derbeatle, Irvington, Cheltenham, United Kingdom Comments: Ex. coll. Pat Earnshaw.  … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty items – February 24, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/a87bpo6 ANTIQUE LACE-C. 18THC. 126″ MILANESE LACE FLOUNCE Size: ~9″ x 126″ Starting Price: $195.00 Auction ends: Feb 25, 2013 07:33:07 PST) Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States Comments: A good collectable length of Milanese, early 18th … Continue reading

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Special Ebay Alert! Point de Sedan Needlelace Lappets, early 18th c

http://tinyurl.com/arh2t7v ANTIQUE LACE FANTASTIC FLEMISH? NEEDLE LACE LAPPETS EARLY 18TH C Size: 3″ at ends, 4″ at join.  45″ total length Current offer: $45.99 with reserve Auction ends: Mar 02, 2013 17:34:25 PST Offered by: Ebay seller greatlace, Palm Beach, Florida, … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Eleven items – February 21, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/baefrxe ANTIQUE LACE-ORNATE NEEDLEPOINT LACE RUNNERW/CHERUB Size: not given Starting Price: $295.00 Buy-it-Now Auction ends: 18 hours 26 min from 2/21/2013 4:46 PM MST Offered by: Ebay seller mithya, Irvington, New York, United States Comments: A runner, combination of needle and … Continue reading

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No Ebay Alerts this week

Apologies, no Ebay Alerts this week, I’m preparing to teach and give a talk at the Winter Lace Conference next weekend. Will resume the following week, thanks! In the meantime, take a look at Ebay #111008330342. Laurie

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Ebay Alerts! Fifteen items – February 7, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/a2wup62 EVENTAIL 19ème DENTELLE 19thC LACE fan Fächer ventaglio abanico Size: 22 cm long Starting Price: 139.00 EUR Auction ends: Feb 08, 2013 11:50:01 PST Offered by: Ebay seller merveillesdeparis, Paris, France Comments: A small Bruges Bloemwerk bobbinlace fan. Nicely … Continue reading

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