Regarding the ebay item:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gorgeous-Antique-Beaded-Bone-Lace-Bobbin-Circa1830_W0QQitemZ6224228813QQcategoryZ114QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I have pulled the picture of this bobbin up over and over again, and
each time I am more convinced that it is an old bobbin! I am not sure
why people think it is not. Whether it is a Haskins bobbin or not, even
the seller does not say for certain. As far as heads being a criteria,
you will see a trend in the head shape that is helpful in identifying a
maker, but keep in mind that sometimes a bobbin maker deviates a little
from the shape...even in my Archer bobbins, I counted 5 that had
different tails!
My first love in lacemaking was the old bobbins. I owned 2 old bobbins
before I ever wound thread on a plastic one to learn how to use them!
Once at a Lace Day I discussed an old bobbin that had an unusual spangle
with an expert on bobbins The question was whether or not the spangle
was original, and her reply was that she could not say for sure because
a lot can happen to a bobbin in 150 years!! (regarding the maker of my
bobbin, she said that she was "pretty certain" it was a Haskins bobbin)
Goodness gracious! I have changed the spangles on my new bobbins so
many times it could make your head spin. Does the fact that it is not
the original spangle lower its value? I'm not sure that it would always
be the case. It would if the beads were not contemporary with the
bobbin, but otherwise who could say it was not the original spangle?
What makes a bobbin valuable? There are several things I look for
before I buy a bobbin. I want it to be pretty. I have a love for
pretty things (probably why I make lace) and the bobbins are a big part
of that. I also choose them for their usability. If I can not use it,
then I do not want it. I am sure some people would want it for its
history, but if I am going to spend my money on a bobbin, I want to use
it. I have left my bobbins unused once, and when I pulled them out to
reuse them, they were getting dry and dull! Using the bobbin not only
keeps the finish but the life of the bobbin going strong. I was told it
was the oils in our skin.
If I was looking for a beaded bobbin, then I might have considered the
one up for auction here. I do feel the shank has been repaired. If the
repair is good, then I am not so sure the value would be affected. I
thought this one looked very good. I have an old one and the beads are
very much alike. My bobbin is missing most of its beads, but it is
still pretty and usable and also fit into the third criteria I use in
purchasing a bobbin. The price was right for me.
So with those three things in mind, I look at bobbins; any bobbin, new
or old.
Is it pretty? Is it usable for me and the kind of lace I make? Is the
price one I can feel good about paying?
When you buy a bobbin on ebay, is there a guarantee? Are you allowed to
get your money back if you are not satisfied? I think most of the
questions about how genuinely old a bobbin is can be answered when you
hold it in your hands. Still, by sight alone, this bobbin looked to be
a genuine antique to me.
I feel sad that the seller has been portrayed as though they were trying
to decieve someone into buying something that was not what they
described it to be.
Debbie in Florida
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