XIV SALE PRICES
Reading edition
Lace is such an article of luxury, and, as a rule, only belonging to the wealthiest class, that it seldom or ever comes into the open market. In 1907 two collections were dispersed at Christie's—those of Mrs. Massey-Mainwaring and Mrs. Lewis Hill.
The most costly laces are the Venetian Points, some of the fine Rose Points being priceless. It is so fragile that little of it remains, and the smallest piece is eagerly snapped up by collectors.
In 1904 at Christie's lace sold for the following prices—
£
A 58-inch length of 24-ins. deep Point de Venise600
A 4-yards length of Rose Point, 11 inches deep420
The same year—
£
4 yards of Point d'Argentan, 25 inches deep460
44 inches Point d'Alençon, 17 inches deep43
2½ yards Point d'Alençon, 14 inches deep46
In 1907, March 11, Massey-Mainwaring Sale at Christie's—
sold for
£s.d.
1½ yards Venetian Gros Point, 8 inches deep16160
5 yards length of Reticella, 7½ inches deep33120
4 short lengths4200
7 pieces of Point d'Alençon2100
4 yards narrow Point d'Argentan15150
3 pairs Point d'Argentan lappets15150
30 yards narrow Mechlin in odd lengths2100
April 15th, the Lewis-Hill Sale at Christie's:—
sold for
£s.d.
4 yards Venetian Point, 15½ inches deep6850
4 yards Venetian Point, 8½ inches deep52100
3 yards Spanish Point, 6½ inches deep73100
An Old Brussels scarf in two pieces10100
6 yards Brussels applique23100
A Point Gaze parasol-cover6160
A Brussels flounce1216
3 yards Honiton flounce, 17 inches deep6960
Another similar6960
6 yards Honiton lace in three pieces2430
An old lace coverlet2540
Another ditto2650
A lace altar-frontal2110
With the exception of the Honiton flounces, which sold beyond their market value, all the above pieces were bought by London lace dealers!
The famous collection of the late Mrs. Hailstone was sold in 1909. This lady had for many years been known as a lace collector, and the sale of her effects was eagerly anticipated. The result was extremely interesting to the collectors, as Mrs. Hailstone had collected specimen lengths of almost every known lace. No huge prices obtained, but the sale may be regarded as representative, and the prices quoted as being open-market value.
£s.d.
A set of bed-hangings, forming six curtains, made of Italian lace and linen4000
A large portière curtain of Italian lacis-work10100
A Point d'Alençon fichu3000
A Point d'Alençon cravat end, a pair of sleeves, one odd piece1800
A pair of Argentan lappets and six yards lace1200
A panel fine raised Venetian Point, 22 inches wide, 28 inches long2400
A Berthe, Point de Venise, 1 yard 120 inches, 12 inches deep2500
A Point de Venise Berthe3600
A 1 yard 13 inches x 7 inches panel Venetian lace5000
Two specimen pieces, 3¼ inches, all of Point de Venise à réseau14100
A Buckinghamshire collar, sleeves, and pieces550
A specimen of old Honiton, baby's cap, bodice, and handkerchief350
An old Honiton baby's robe, said to have belonged to Princess Charlotte15100
Seven volumes of lace specimens of old and modern lace3500
In December, 1910, probably the most valuable collection ever placed upon the market was dispersed at Messrs. Christie's. The late Sir William Abdy Bt., had for many years devoted his time and money to the collection of valuable lace, such as now can only be seen in the great national collections. The prices obtained are significant of the huge sums which must be paid to obtain wearable pieces of valuable lace such as skirt lengths, 3- or 4-yard lengths of deep flouncings, shawls, coverlets, aprons, &c.
£s.d.
A fine Point d'Alençon skirt, 2½ yards, 44 inches deep16000
A fine Point d'Alençon scarf, 2 yards 9 inches × 10 inches deep7200
A Point d'Argentan Berthe, 9½ inches deep3900
A Point d'Argentan flounce, 6 yards 30 inches × 5½ inches deep14000
A Point d'Argentan flounce, 2 yards 26 inches long × 25 inches deep21000
A Point d'Argentan flounce, 3 yards 28 inches long × 24 inches deep31000
A Point d'Argentan flounce, 3 yards 35 inches long × 25 inches deep43100
A Point d'Argentan flounce, 3 yards 16 inches long × 24½ inches deep29000
An Italian gold and thread lace flounce, 4 yards long, 29 inches deep74000
A length of Italian Rose Point, 4 yards 15 inches long, 3 inches deep7000
An old Italian Rose Point flounce, 3 yards 31 inches long, 17½ inches deep66000
An old Italian Rose Point square, 31 inches × 34 inches18000
An old Italian Rose Point flounce, 3 yards 19 inches long, 7½ inches deep52000
An old Italian Rose Point panel, 34 inches × 9 inches9500
A Point de Venise lappet à réseau, 46 inches long, 5¼ inches wide2200
Point de Venise trimming, 8 yards long × 4 inches deep6500
A piece of flat Venetian insertion, 4 yards × 3¾ inches deep9200
A Rose Point flounce, 4 yards long × 5 inches deep20000
A Rose Point flounce, 3 yards 31 inches long × 22 inches deep60000
A Rose Point flounce, 4 yards 7 inches long × 24 inches deep54000
A Rose Point flounce, 3 yards 32 inches long × 15 inches deep56000
A Rose Point flounce, 4 yards 11 inches long × 18 inches deep, and a pair of sleeves en suite65000
A Rose Point flounce, 4 yards 3 inches long × 11½ inches deep51000
A raised Point de Venise square, 1 yard 24 inches long × 1 yard 6 inches wide45000
An Old Brussels apron, 41 inches wide, 37 inches deep14500
A specimen piece of early Valenciennes, 2 yards long × 7 inches deep4200
The following prices have been given by the South Kensington authorities for specimens shown:—
£s.d.
A Venetian Point altar-frontal, 8 × 3 feet35000
A Venetian chasuble, stole, maniple, and chalice veil20000
A 2 yards × 5/8 yard Venetian flounce12500
A Gros Point collar2100
A Brussels lappet2300
A drawn-thread jacket10 100
Linen cutwork tunic2000
EGYPTIAN EMBROIDERY. Found in a tomb at Thebes.
