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 – May 19, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/4yvcfx7 ANTIQUE LACE- FINE MECHLIN LACE – Size: 2-3/4″ x 111″ Starting price: $45.00 with reserve Auction ends: May 20, 2011 07:39:53 PDT Offered by: Maria Niforos, Ebay mithya, London-New York, United States Comments: Border of Mechlin – note the metal … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Sixteen items – May 15, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3vraqjz MALTESE HAND MADE SILK BOBBIN LACE 19th C 410 x 50 cms Size: 20″ x 160″ Starting price: $10.00 with reserve Auction ends: May 16, 2011 01:11:42 PDT Offered by: Anne Swift, Ebay seller eastayton, London. England, United Kingdom … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Thirteen items – May 12, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3z7zvyc Antique Melville & Ziffer Mother of Pearl ox & Lace Fan Size: 9.5″ long sticks, 18″ across Starting price: 29.99 GBP Auction ends: May 14, 2011 08:04:37 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller phoenixantiques-petworth, Petersfield, United Kingdom Comments: Unusual to … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twelve items – May 8, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3z795mq EXQUISITE ROSALINE LACE HANDKERCHIEF W/ROYAL PROVENANCE Size: ~12″ x 12″ Starting price: $45.00 with reserve Auction ends: May 10, 2011 08:19:33 PDT Offered by: Maria Niforos Ebay seller mithya, London-New York, United States Comments: This is finer than what … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Eight items – May 5, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3dqhg69 ANTIQUE LACE PRETTY HAND MADE POINT DE GAZE LACE C1870 Size: 2-1/4″ x 99″ Starting price: $29.99 with reserve Auction ends: May 08, 2011 15:58:26 PDT Offered by: Paivi Roberts, Ebay seller greatlace, Paris – Palm Beach, United States … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Six items – May 1, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3l2xw3t centro de mesa en hecho a mano bolillos y vainicas Size: 95 cm x 60 cm Starting price: 11.00 EUR Auction ends: May 02, 2011 12:32:06 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller elcuadro10, zaragoza, Aragón, Spain Comments: I’m not entirely … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Eight items – April 28, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3wqheqk Tabouret Traditionnel Dentelière Carreau Art Populaire Size: 26 cm long, 16.0 cm wide, 20 cm tall Starting price: 10.50 EUR Auction ends: May 01, 2011 11:34:05 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller barrioux, SERMENTIZON, Auvergne, France Comments: Very similar to … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Ten items – April 21, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/449wnfj ANTIQUE LACE-LOVELY SILK MALTESE LACE SHAWL Size: ~74″-75″ long, 25″ at widest part Starting price: $295.00 Auction ends: Apr 24, 2011 04:58:57 PDT Offered by: Maria Niforis, Ebay seller mithya, London-New York, United States Comments: This ‘shawl’ is draped … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Eleven items – April 17, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3oj8xp3 DAINTY HM Antique Vtg TENERIFE LACE COLLAR Dress Front Size: 16-1/2″ x 17″, 6-1/2″ deep Starting price: $24.99 Auction ends: Apr 19, 2011 18:43:27 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller adtjmd, RED VELVET BENCH, United States Comments: Nice collar of Nanduti. … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Ten items – April 14, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/3h3cwon Antique hand made unusual Carrickmacross lace 1850 Size: 9 cm x 167 cm Starting price: 62.00 GBP Auction ends: Apr 17, 2011 09:39:41 PDT Offered by: Ebay seller linskapet, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway DG6 4UU, United Kingdom Comments: Good … Continue reading

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