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 Alert! Three Items – September 16, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/2dlqf5c Exqusite Antique Brussels Bobbin Lace Wedding Veil Current offer: GPB 280 no bids Auction ends: Sep 22, 2010, 14:13:20 PDT. Offered by: Ebay seller fwollf63, Erzgebirge/Sachsen, Germany Comments: This has the typical form of a bonnet veil, but is … Continue reading

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Ebay Alert! Six items – September 12, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/2dhxwa4 Brussels Lace in Original Box w/labels http://tinyurl.com/24qneho Rare Brussels Lace Butterflies w/original card Current offer: $95 each, no bids Auction ends: Sep 14, 2010, 17:31:00 PDT and Sep 14, 2010, 17:38:42 PDT. Offered by: Maria Niforos, Ebay name MITHYA, … Continue reading

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Ebay Alert! Six Items – September 9, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/38vn5eq Antique Lace Wide Length of Early 18th c Bobbin Lace Current offer: $65, no bids Auction ends Sep 10, 2010, 16:40:15 PDT. Offered by: Paivi Roberts, Ebay name GREATLACE, of Palm Springs, Florida Comments: Nice long length, has very … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Five Items – September 5, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/2bvqonp Antique Maltese handmade lace for a Parasol Current offer: GPB 29.99, no bids Auction ends Sep 8, 2010, 09:23:36 PDT. Offered by: Ebay name DISCOVER4, of London UK Comments: Appears to be black silk.  Good condition. This type of … Continue reading

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Eby Alert! Two items – September 2, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/2396rsb Antique Handmade English Bucks Point Lace Opening price $175, no reserve. Auction ends September 8, 2010 18:59:22 PDT. Offered by Paivi Roberts, Ebay name GREATLACE, of Palm Springs, Florida sold for $167.60 http://tinyurl.com/23mrr8t Brussels Bobbin and Needlelace Wedding Veil … Continue reading

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Ebay Alert! Springett Antique Bobbin Sale – September 2, 2010

I’m deviating from my plan to post Ebay items only twice a week because of the importance of this event.  The anxiously awaited sale of the Springett antique bobbin collection has begun.  See http://tinyurl.com/2cp7k6e for the first listing, which went … Continue reading

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Ebay Alert! Two items – August 29, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/2ct3o3d Two fine Argentan/Alencon 18th century lappets.  Current offer is $70, but the unknown reserve has not been met. Auction ends Aug 31, 2010 18:13:46 PDT. Offered by Paivi Roberts, Ebay name GREATLACE, of Palm Springs, Florida Sold for $350.00 … Continue reading

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