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! Sixteen items – August 7, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3d7rs8v ANTIQUE BATTENBURG LACE COLLAR Size: 14″ across by 12″ deep Starting price: $59.00 Auction ends: Aug 07, 2011 19:42:40 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller lhowich52, Sayward, BC, Canada Comments: Good Duchesse de Bruxelles collar with an attached neckpiece.  Raised … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Thirteen items – August 4, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3tj9jx6 ANTIQUE LACE-FINE 19THC SILK MALTESE LACE EDGING Size: 4″ x 85″ Starting price: $65.00 Auction ends: Aug 07, 2011 05:41:58 PDT Offered by: Maria Niforos, Ebay seller mithya, London-New York, United States Comments: The large alternating cross and leaf … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Six items – July 31, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3vsxquf SUPERB VINTAGE HND MD BLK CHANTILLY LACE FAN LEAF, C1850 Size: 6″ x 21.5″ wide Starting price: $525 Buy-it-Now Auction ends: Jul 31,2011 07:48:34 PDT Offered by: Laura Allmond, Ebay seller allmndjy, Beautiful Central Pennsylvania!, United States Comments: Yes, … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Six items – July 28, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3kpexv8 VINTAGE LINEN PILLOW LACE LAWN HONITON BRUSSELS FLEMISH Size: 1.5″ X 64″ Starting price: 9.99 GBP Auction ends: Jul 30, 2011 11:32:17 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller clarissa32, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom Comments: Good mid 18th century Mechlin border. … Continue reading

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Special Ebay Alert! Early 18th C Valenciennes Lappets – posted 7/23/11

http://tinyurl.com/3jo46zf VINTAGE LINEN PILLOW LACE LAWN HONITON BRUSSELS FLEMISH Size: 3.6″ x 48″ Current offer: 9.99 GBP Auction ends: 30 Jul, 2011 19:49:29 BST Offered by: Ebay seller CLARISSA32, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom Comments: This is only the 2nd Special … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Five items – July 21, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3kw76lx #11 Antique Hand Made Chantilly Black Lace, Scarf Size: 15″ x 36″ Starting price: $.99 Auction ends: Jul 22, 2011 18:30:19 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller heartstrings, Gurley, AL, United States Comments: Photographs aren’t very good, but it has … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty items – July 17, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3zqa9gn Huge Antique Vintage Handmade Needle Lace Collar Cape Size: lace 6.5″ wide, 40″ inside, 100″ outside Starting price: 4.99 GPB Auction ends: Jul 19, 2011 13:45:44 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller *-rosebud-*, Yorkshire Dales, United Kingdom Comments: Belgian needlelace … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Thirteen items – July 14, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/64ozbvb superb rare black honiton lace shawl/mantilla +birds. Size: 17″ x 44″ Starting price: 25.00 GPB Auction ends: Jul 15, 2011 13:16:18 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller reddolly123, nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom Comments: Interesting narrow honiton shawl, with unfortunate serious … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Eighteen items – July 10, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3ntjjvl EXQUISITE 19THC.BRUSSELS SHAWL W/POINT DE GAZE Size: 23″ around neck, 108-110″ circumference, 30″ wide Starting price: $45.00 Auction ends: Jul 12, 2011 07:56:47 PDT Offered by: Maria Niforos, Ebay seller mithya, London-New York, United States Comments: Very good Duchesse … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Nine items – June 30, 2011

 http://tinyurl.com/6264exy very pretty brussels lace hanky badly marked. Size: not given Starting price: 12.00 GBP Auction ends: Jul 01, 2011 10:23:57 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller reddolly123, nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom Comments: Not sure why the seller is so down on … Continue reading

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