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! Eight items – April 5, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/7jtnkqu EXQUISITE BRUSSELS POINT DE GAZE LACE HANDKERCHIEF Size: ~13″ square Starting Price: $45.00 with reserve Auction ends: Apr 03, 2012 13:10:52 PDT Offered by: Maria Niforos, Ebay seller mithya, London-New York, United States Comments: A Point de Gaze handkerchief, no … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Eighteen items – April 1, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/6urfbf2 SUPER LONG RUN 5.5YDS 2.5″ X 198″ 19th C HAND MADE LACE FROM BLAIR HOUSE Size: 2.5″ X 5.5 yds Starting Price: 9.99 GBP Auction ends: Apr 03, 2012 13:10:52 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller ourhut, near Edinburgh, United Kingdom … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Seventeen items – March 29, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/7w5zjxp GORGEOUS 38″ Length of Lace circa 1870 Antique BRUSSELS POINT DE GAZE ~EX COND Size: 3.5″ x 38″ Starting Price: $9.99 Auction ends: Mar 29, 2012 18:00:02 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller things*most*delightful, Sacramento, California, United States Comments: An all-to-short … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-two items – March 25, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/7z75dbd Sriking handmade Irish crochet clones lace lot cuffs collar set dress trim Size: collar, 3.75″ x 14.5″.  cuffs, 3.75″ x 9.5″ Starting Price: $0.99 Auction ends: Mar 26, 2012 16:48:22 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller shotgun*wedding, MILWAUKEE, United States Comments: … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Eleven items – March 22, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/7mokclx ANTIQUE LACE -CIRCA 1600’s, FINE BOBBIN LACE CAPBACK Size:  8″ x 10″ Starting Price: $495.00 Auction ends: Mar 25, 2012 06:58:33 PDT Offered by: Maria Niforos, Ebay seller mithya, London-New York, United States Comments: I think this has a droschel … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Sixteen items – March 18, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/6rcgo9k JOLIE DENTELLIÈRE EN GRÈS, FIN XIX° DÉBUT XX° Size:  12 cm high, 6 cm wide, 9.2 cm long Starting Price: 0.99 EUR with reserve Auction ends: Mar 19, 2012 11:30:23 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller chineurfou34, Béziers, France Comments: This … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Fifteen items – March 15, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/8ypvvtl ANTIQUE GRACEFUL FLOATY BRUSSELS BOBBIN LACE FLOUNCE Size:  12″ x 77″, 59″, 33″ Starting Price: $275.00 Buy-it-Now Auction ends: Mar 16, 2012 ~19:00 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller heartnsoul1, Hollis, New Hampshire, United States Comments: A wide flounce of Brussels … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-two items – March 11, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/7vszag4 2 Antique Irish crochet handmade lovely collar Size: 16″ neck edge, 6.5″ wide center back Starting Price: 14.99 GBP Auction ends: Mar 12, 2012 09:01:32 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller discover4, London, United Kingdom Comments: An Irish Crochet collar with … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Eighteen items – March 4, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/6wks327 Volant Dentelle fait main XIXe Bas D’Aube Religion Prête Messe Sacrements Size: 100 cm x 2m96cm Starting Price: 240.00 EUR Buy-it-Now or Make Offer Auction ends: I don’t know Offered by: Ebay seller gede34, France métropolitaine Comments: Keep an eye … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty items – March 1, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/7o6ckvu ANTIQUE LACE COLLAR – HONITON LACE Size: 80 cm inside edge, width 4 cm to 13 cm Starting Price: 2.99 GBP Auction ends: Mar 02, 2012 04:56:43 PST Offered by: Ebay seller fraiserbear1, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom Comments: A … Continue reading

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