In her article, Newbie discusses appraising linens, historic and vintage clothing, couture and designer clothing and accessories, textiles and lace, ethnic clothing and textiles, quilts, and samplers.
Now, keep in mind, appraisers reading the article will not become authorities at appraising and identifying textiles, but the article touches on the important factors appraisers should be aware of when looking at textiles. She also lists a great number of resources for each sector.
Newbie writes
Ninety five percent of the antique clothes you will encounter date to the late Victorian, Edwardian, and Roaring Twenties. You will find some bustle dresses, beaded evening mantles (short fitted capes), wool paisley and embroidered silk shawls, lots of lingerie, lace garden party dresses, orphaned bodices (whose skirts were unpicked and remade into dresses at a later period), some beaded flapper dresses, furs, and men’s evening clothes. There is value in all of the above – but not great value unless the garment is a show stopper or has a recognizable label such as Worth, Caillot Soeurs, Doucet, etc. Hollywood starlets and other “fashionistas” will pay generously for unique antique or designer vintage garments that they can wear in order to stand out from the crowd.
Clothes and accessories from the 1930’s through the 1980’s are con-sidered “vintage” and have a ready secondary market in the vintage clothing shops – depending on the style and size of the garments. However, wedding dresses and the military uniforms that the service man came home in have no real value—like family bibles, everyone has one. Don’t overlook accessories: handbags, evening bags, fans, early hats and shoes (before c1880) can be quite sought after, as are the silver mesh coin purses ladies used to carry holding a small tip for the rest room attendant. However, the vast majority of “old clothes” from the 1970’s on can be assigned a thrift shop value. Here again, someone who understands clothing would be very helpful in sorting through the closets.
Note: historic clothing and linens is one of the few properties where salvage has value. Designers search for vintage sewing patterns, trims, laces, old sewing notions and damaged antique pieces to use to create new one of a kind garments and decorator items.
ORDER TODAY!! - The Journal of Advanced Appraisal Studies - 2011. Click the button to order.
No comments:
Post a Comment