Author Topic: Victorian beaded cape  (Read 2205 times)

Melodie

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 69
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Victorian beaded cape
« on: March 05, 2013, 04:05:03 pm »
Hi, I have a genuine Victorian c.1880 black velvet cape. It is beautifully beaded with French jet/ black glass beads and is in mainly great condition. The lining is completely gone though and there are just a couple of beads missing but I do have some that match. I would appreciate any advice on value and best place to sell an item like this. I have several more Victorian and Edwardian items of clothing but 1940's to 1970's is more my field. Would it be better to get the cape relined or do collectors prefer to buy in untouched condition. Thanks in advance for any opinions.

It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice.

KC

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11660
  • Karma: +93/-0
  • Forever Blessed!
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian beaded cape
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2013, 04:07:20 pm »
True period collectors prefer untouched!!!!!  They would rather have it redone themselves - prefer authenticity.
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

Melodie

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 69
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian beaded cape
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2013, 04:10:03 pm »
Thanks, I thought so.
It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice.

greenacres

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4147
  • Karma: +22/-0
  • ❤❤❤
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian beaded cape
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2013, 05:57:20 pm »
Talesofthesevenseas will know about this. There's a sight for period clothing.
" Energy and Persistence conquer all things."

KC

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11660
  • Karma: +93/-0
  • Forever Blessed!
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian beaded cape
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2013, 06:51:19 pm »
Ype, Tales of does well on the vintage clothing.
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

talesofthesevenseas

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6124
  • Karma: +35/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian beaded cape
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2013, 07:11:00 pm »
Lovely! I would not touch a thing if you are planning to sell it. Leave that option to the buyer. You could always include replacement beads along with it. The reason people buy antique clothes is because of their authenticity. We can get reproductions of anything these days, but people who buy antique clothing want the real thing.
Antiqueaholic in recovery

mart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19849
  • Karma: +122/-1
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian beaded cape
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2013, 08:25:33 pm »
Are you in the UK Melodie ??  Isn`t a style I have seen here in the U.S. !! Haven`t seen an intro yet !!

Melodie

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 69
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian beaded cape
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2013, 01:28:17 pm »
Thanks for the advice everyone. Yes I'm in the UK Mart. Did introduce myself on the newbie section a while ago. But only just got brave enough to post  ;D
It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice.

talesofthesevenseas

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6124
  • Karma: +35/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian beaded cape
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2013, 01:53:28 pm »
Don't be afraid to post, we don't bite!  ;D
Antiqueaholic in recovery

KC

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11660
  • Karma: +93/-0
  • Forever Blessed!
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian beaded cape
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2013, 05:26:36 pm »
Yep...don't be afraid.  We banter back and forth about our opinions at times...but that is what this forum is for.  To learn and all of us have plenty of learning to do!  :)

Glad you are here!
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

greenacres

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4147
  • Karma: +22/-0
  • ❤❤❤
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian beaded cape
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2013, 10:20:01 pm »
I would find out how to store this properly so it doesn't get ruined.
" Energy and Persistence conquer all things."

talesofthesevenseas

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6124
  • Karma: +35/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Victorian beaded cape
« Reply #11 on: March 07, 2013, 06:54:06 pm »
Yes, we should have brought that up. Antique textiles need to be kept in acid-free storage. That means putting them in acid-free tissue and padding the folds of the garments with crumpled acid-free tissue so that they are not creased and stressed. Ideally these should go into an acid-free archival box. These are not cheap, but occasionally you can get a deal on Ebay. If you don't want to invest in archival box, line the storage drawer you are keeping them in with muslin. The idea is to keep them from touching acidic surfaces like wood and cardboard. You can get acid-free tissue on Ebay for just a few bucks. Once that is done keep them out of the light and in a dry environment. Don't seal them up, textiles need to "breathe" with air circulation. If there are issues with it being brittle let me know, I learned a great trick to "rehydrate" antique garments from my friend who is a conservator at the DAR Museum in Washington DC.
Antiqueaholic in recovery