On the whole folks seem to be OK with basic restoration.
Most seem to expect that the spangle wire has been replaced at some time in the past. It seems the bobbin needs to be useable, and therefore look nice. Just before I decided to drop this note I went on ebay and this item number attracted me regarding restoration possibilities. : eBay item number: 322277029649. The middle one has pretty well had it, but the other two would be nice when restored. David Springett's book, Making Lace Bobbins has good section on "decorating" [restoring!!!] It is quite easy, needs patience (I lack a dollop of that) Collect wire, tinsel and tiny (yes, tiny please) beads, then for the item above, you are away. Think about it if you are that way inclined. Drop me a note and pic if you are not sure what would go where. Now the ethics of this issue. I certainly think a restored bobbin, if offered for sale, should state that it has been restored. That museums struggle with this does not surprise me, antique bobbins are really a specialization. You users who handle antique bobbins day after day are the experts. You absorb the detail, the feel, the patina and to be very unscientific, the authenticity of the tool. Regarding the comment on the wooden neck being pushed into the shank of a bone bobbin; yes it could well be a restoration, but believe me when such a neck is pushed into one of the fat, heavily inscribed bobbins, there could well be the issue of the bobbin maker being able to use nice piece of bone instead of leaving it in a box ( I have a pile of so called "useable" bone in a box!) There are quite of lot of these possible examples you can see. Oh, that reminds me I have an interesting article soon to go up on Webdocs that has some application to that topic. I will let you know when it is up on the web site. The act of restoring is not for everyone, but a horrible dirty bone bobbin devoid of its original glory seem such a sorry right. Brian PS now the price of every restorable bobbin will go up! Grrr. I remember once pointing out a lovely bobbin up for auction and all the would be buyers "flamed me" [quite nicely I assure you]. so I do not do it anymore! - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
