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.

No Ebay Alerts for December 13, 2015

This time I have a good excuse. I’m in New York looking at early laces at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a number of other lace enthusiasts.  Look at the IOLI facebook page for pictures coming soon https://www.facebook.com/iolilace. Will … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Forty-four items – December 6, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/hceovgj UNE ANCIENNE DENTELLE DE BRUXELLES /POINT DE GAZE : 95cm x 20cm Size: 20 cm x 95 cm Starting Price: 9.90 EUR Auction ends: December 6, 2015, 2015, 6:11 AM PST Offered by: Ebay seller ninou21patch, FRANCE Comments: A border … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Fifteen items – November 29, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ot8wqmo Lace making bobbin winder for Honiton/Midlands bobbins hand crafted in sycamore Size: Not given. Starting Price: £5.00 Auction ends: November 28, 2015, 5:06 AM PST Offered by: Ebay seller philippa1014, Hook, United Kingdom Comments: A bobbin winder made of sycamore … Continue reading

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Administrative: No Ebay Alerts for November 22, 2015

Apologies again, but I’m still tied up with my contract work deadline, will resume the Ebay Alerts next week.  There is an interesting item up for auction at Kerry Taylor on December 8th which I will write up shortly. Laurie

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Administrative: No Ebay Alerts for November 15, 2015

Apologies, big deadline coming up for work, so I’m blowing off the Ebay Alerts for Sunday. Compounding the problem is the fact that Microsoft issued a systems update Wednesday night which had the effect of crashing Windows 7 Outlook email, … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty-nine items – November 8, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/pxseqhb 12 Carrickmacross Irish Lace PLacemats Doilies Hand Work Shamrock Thistle Rose Size: Not given. Starting Price: $1,599.00 Buy-it-Now or Make Offer Auction ends: November 8, 2015 6:15 AM PST Offered by: Ebay seller mellow44, Tiverton, Rhode Island, United States Comments: … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty items – November 1, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/nljq5kn Glorious ANTIQUE Rosepoint Point de Gaze LACE Trim 64×4 3/4″ Excellent Condition Size: 4-3/4″ x 64″ Starting Price: $125.00, $195.00 Buy-it-Now Auction ends: November 1, 2015 9:45 AM PST Offered by: Ebay seller vintageblessings, Meridian, Idaho, United States Comments: A … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Thirty-three items – October 25, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/pla9j8d 19th century lace collection Size: Not given. Starting Price: $40.00 Auction ends: October 25, 2015 6:02 AM PDT Offered by: Ebay seller annasognosia, Port Chester, New York, United States Comments: The one piece from this collection that I will discuss … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twenty items – October 18, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/p56ujqq Stunningly Large BRUSSELS LACE Collar Antique Bridal Handmade Masterpiece Size: 43.6″ x 23″ laid flat, 13.5″ center depth, 4″ side depth, 46″ neckline. Starting Price: $295.00, $495.00 Buy-it-Now Auction ends: October 18, 2015 8:48 AM Offered by: Ebay seller vintageblessings, … Continue reading

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Ebay Alerts! Twelve items – October 11, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ogxd857 Pretty antique/vintage Brussels Duchesse lace bertha Size: 42″neckline, 6.5″ deep Starting Price: 45.00 GBP Auction ends: October 11, 2015 11:40 AM Offered by: Ebay seller derbeatle, Cheltenham, United Kingdom Comments: A bertha of Bloemwerk, excellent technique. Note the use of … Continue reading

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