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Hi
Is this worth anything? If so, how would I best go about selling it?
This embroidered picture/banner has been in my family since the mid-late 1800’s when my great-great grandfather apparently rescued it from a bonfire whilst working as farm bailiff for Alfred Bean formally of Danson House Bexleyheath.
The item was re-framed at some stage by a relative but I have been told the original frame is under the new one.
Hi Mark,
That's a nice banner, you could put it on ebay but are you sure you want to sell it since it's been in the family so long? If your determined to sell it I would buy it depending on what you want for it. But what ever you do don't let the English get there hands on it.
Hi Scutch.
Thanks for your interest.
Someone on another forum, who seems to know quite a bit about needlework had said that the piece may be worth around £150. However, on seeing some higher resolution pictures of the piece has advised me that it’s better than she originally thought and may be worth a lot more, mentioning that it looked like being satin stiched with couched gold threads. Not that I understand what that means exactly. Anyway, I hope she’s right!
I still need to get advice on where to realize the best price though. It would also be nice to find out a bit more about it also.
Would be sad to see it go but money is tight right now.
Mark I found this http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6838232 if
that ones worth 280 pounds yours is easily worth 750 maybe more with the provenance you have. Are you in Ireland? Contact Whytes. Good luck with it, let me know how it goes. http://www.whytes.com/
Hi Scutch
Thanks very much for finding that! The design is virtually identical in both pieces. I wonder if one of them is the original or more likely, done from an original that must be out there somewhere.
I’m in England but Whyte’s in Ireland may well be the people to help me and I will email them.
I may first spend some more time finding out as much as I can about the piece. This is what I have been able to find out so far.
I have no idea who did the work on the piece and can only guess as to how it came so close to ending up on an English fire! My great-grandmother (deceased) relaying the story, had said that my great-great-great grandfather (I think that’s the correct number of greats but it gets confusing!) “William Mason” had been given the piece when asking his boss at Danson House Bexleyheath in Kent if he could keep it instead of burning it when they were having a “clear out”.
I was able to find out that William was farm bailiff to Alfred Bean who bought the house and estate in1862. Although unlikely, it may also be possible that William was working at the estate prior to 1862 and could possibly have acquired the piece before that time so I have no idea how old it is either. It’s in such good condition it looks as though it could have been made last week!
Good morning Mark, from what I can see the only connection to Ireland is Sir John Boyd original owner of Danson house. If that's the case it would make it pre 1800. As far as quality there's no comparison between yours and the other one and I haven't seen any other examples. See what Whytes say and after talking to them you could contact Danson house, maybe there interested. I would like better images, I'm going to get a seamstress to make me a copy if you don't mind. Thanks.
Hi Scutch.
Thanks again for your input. I will definitely try to find out more about Sir John Boyd. It could well be that the piece is older than I had originally thought.
An elderly aunt has just been in touch to say that she believes William Mason had also worked for the Johnston family who were at Danson before Alfred Bean. Found this picture of the family:
Please feel free to have a copy made. I will email you the best pictures I currently have, I may take some more when its not so gloomy out and I can take advantage of natural light.
Fabulous quality,the colour looks great, obviously not been in the sunlight.
This item if you are going to sell it needs to be auctioned in Ireland. Saying that I would not be surprised if the final home for the item was not North America and not shocked at £1000 to £1500
Hi John.
Thanks for the advice. I’m hopeful that I will get a good price for it:-)
Have emailed Whyte’s of Dublin and Woolly & Wallis of Salisbury, who were recommended by someone on another forum and who are fairly local to me.
I’m waiting for them both to get back to me. I feel I may go with Whyte’s due to the Irish connection.
Will certainly let you know how I get on.
Hi John.
Thanks for the advice. I’m hopeful that I will get a good price for it:-)
Have emailed Whyte’s of Dublin and Woolly & Wallis of Salisbury, who were recommended by someone on another forum and who are fairly local to me.
I’m waiting for them both to get back to me. I feel I may go with Whyte’s due to the Irish connection.
Will certainly let you know how I get on.
Mark.
do not make your decision until you hear the commission rate.
do not make your decision until you hear the commission rate.
10%-30%... at some auctions they will bargain
Good point well made. I do accept that a reputable auction house will be better placed to get me a better price than I could get on ebay but 30% would hurt!!
Neither company mentioned in my last post have got back to me yet. I will wait a few days then maybe try call them. Will spend some time googling other Auction Houses in Ireland to get some more options. I’m in no hurry, we’ve had the piece for a fair while and a little longer won’t hurt
ex more
ex more Stunning work ,it's a shame you cannot keep it.
Thanks ex more, it is nice, but cash would come in handy right now also
Good point well made. I do accept that a reputable auction house will be better placed to get me a better price than I could get on ebay but 30% would hurt!!
Neither company mentioned in my last post have got back to me yet. I will wait a few days then maybe try call them. Will spend some time googling other Auction Houses in Ireland to get some more options. I’m in no hurry, we’ve had the piece for a fair while and a little longer won’t hurt
ex more
Thanks ex more, it is nice, but cash would come in handy right now also
Why do you need cash.. It is not like we are in a reccesion or anything? With any luck lets "HOPE" David Cameron and Nick Clegg's mighty alliance will pay dividends. Very execiting stuff, how it will entail is anybodys guess...
Now, what I know about embroiders you could write on the back of a postage note, but what I can say is I can identify items which are top of their class.
On regard, to where you should auction this piece, I would recommend the "Costume, Embroideries, Textiles, Lace and Fans" at Bonhams in Knowle. If location is an issue there may be a way to get the items packaged and delivered. Perhaps Mailboxes or do it by yourself to the highest quality. Yes, this is a risky and controversial way of doing things and it would of course you would have to contact Bonhams before hand, to see if they would permit such a thing, naturally I am sure they would. However I am compelled if you decide on this option it would be a must to make sure this piece is packaged with the most prestigious care and handling. I am sure that you are fully aware of this anyway.
It is of course, obviously just one route you may want to venture and proceed upon. Alas, at the end of the day the decision is with you. However, my two cents would be, "that I do not feel eBay would be the right market for this un less it can be recognised and identified by at least two people. Of course on an item of the calibre a reserve would be a must.
I hope that helps. Good luck on the decision you decide upon and venture.
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