It HURT to lose this auction !!

[Baron Kurtz]

Hi Bookster,


I, for one, am glad you've contributed. I think you've - at least in your answer to my very specific question re: the label when the auction was running - been very straight up on the whole.

I don't care about the profit (congrats :eusa_clap ). (To be frank i was bidding on the original badly listed auction so that i could sell it on for profit, as i often do. I have just this evening done so [huh] ) My general profit range is about 100%, but that's because i only buy sure-things, and i'm not making my living out of vintage clothing. I can choose to be picky.

But, I am truly appalled at the removal of the label. Adding to what i have already said, it shows such a disregard for the tailor who originally made the piece, the labour that went into sch a fine piece, that it almost beggars belief that anyone in the clothing trade could do such a thing. It's a sad indictment of the whole trade, to be quite honest. The original buyer, who apparently removed the label, should think seriously about their morals. You, of course, have to take the suit on its merits when it arrives on your doorstep. It would not be a leap of the imagination to think this suit was Edwardian. Clearly it is not, given the (now gone) label, but without the label Edwardian is the obvious conclusion. However, someone is at real fault here. I mean, is removing a label to make a suit seem older any different to taking a label out of a wrecked old suit and sewing it into another one to make it seem older than it is?

bk

 

[Marc Chevalier]

But, I am truly appalled at the removal of the label.

That's the heart of the matter. It cannot be justified.
.

 

[benstephens]

Bookster,

I would also like to say that this is all subjective, and i realise that. I do know that in our Ebay correspondents even with the new info you were convinced it was original and not a B J Simmons costume, which, in your defence as a long standing dealer in clothing is justified, and like any antiques and collectables informed decisions have to be made.


Kindest regards


Ben

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"They paid HOW MUCH?"

Caveat Emptor = Let the buyer beware

 

[bookster1uk]

That's the heart of the matter. It cannot be justified.
.

I agree, and neither can snide, untrue comments.
Over the years I have handled numerous bespoke items that have had labels removed or damaged, usually by executors from estate sales for anonymity reasons, you won't stop that kind of desecration,but I have never seen a single item with a label that has been added so it could be passed off as something it isn't. I never cease to be amazed at the number of bespoke items that have never had a label in the first place, those tailors are the real unsung hero's.
I spend nearly all of my time on our own range now that we have a good team here, which is far more satisfying and enjoyable, but I will never lose my enthusiasm for original pieces. Perhaps I should confess to deconstructing one or two items for educational purposes though?

 

[Tomasso]

I never cease to be amazed at the number of bespoke items that have never had a label in the first place

Yep, a lot of my father's stuff had nothing but his name, a date and a few numbers written on a tag in an inside pocket.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Over the years I have handled numerous bespoke items that have had labels removed or damaged, usually by executors from estate sales for anonymity reasons, you won't stop that kind of desecration,

I agree. The number of carefully razored-out names i've seen is mind-boggling. But this line of argument tends to obscure the meat of the discussion. This B J Simmons label was removed, and clearly in order to pass the suit off as Edwardian when it is not.

but I have never seen a single item with a label that has been added so it could be passed off as something it isn't.

Neither have I, and probably neither has anyone here. It was just a hypothetical to illustrate my point.


As a final word, those of us in the loop know what has passed between various parties. Like the lead up to the latest war in Iraq, "Who knew what and When" is the important information.

bk

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Caveat Emptor = Let the buyer beware

Up to a reasonable point. Beyond it, let that seller beware the buyer.

.