Lisa_B
|
posted on July 26, 2001 06:05:39 PM
To any vintage clothing/fur sellers, I am out of my league with this topic and would appreciate any help. I have a ladies' fur coat and am trying to identify the animal involved . . . it is a longish white hair with black/gray strands mixed in. I don't even know enough to determine whether it is fake or real, as there is no label other than "Made in USA." Also, the fur is rather coarse. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Here is a photo:
-- Lisa B
[ edited by Lisa_B on Jul 26, 2001 09:39 PM ]
|
loosecannon
|
posted on July 26, 2001 06:21:39 PM
I can ID it as dead. OK, is it fox?
|
Zugspitz
|
posted on July 26, 2001 06:45:16 PM
Hi Lisa_B
I am a furrier and would like to help you out on this one. Can you maybay take another pic a little closer. The one you posted is a little grainy and it is impossible to tell from that distance. I am almost sure it is not a fox, though. (too ratty around the top) My money is on American opossum. As far as I remember, this was rather popular in the 40ies.
As to wether it is real fur: take a place that is not to obvious (like the inside of the cuff) and clip off a couple of hairs.
Then burn them. By the smell you will know if it is real fur (smells like burning hair) or not
|
newguy
|
posted on July 26, 2001 08:09:27 PM
Norwegian silver Rat.
|
kiawok
|
posted on July 26, 2001 08:27:03 PM
I was just looking at a vintage Possum fur coat today, man are they butt ugly.
Kinda like an albino rat with long hair.
Eeeoooow
|
Lisa_B
|
posted on July 26, 2001 08:41:56 PM
Thanks Zugspitz! Here is a closeup:
|
pwolf
|
posted on July 26, 2001 08:42:32 PM
Has anyone sold any furs on ebay? I was wondering if anyone messes with your auctions in the name of animal rights.
|
kiawok
|
posted on July 26, 2001 08:49:31 PM
Lisa, it looks like Opossum fur, but it's still hard to tell with that pic. On my screen your pic is grainy.
pwolf .... I've sold fur coats on eBay, some in the $400-500 range, and I've never had any tree huggers mess with my auctions.
|
Lisa_B
|
posted on July 26, 2001 09:01:53 PM
Not sure what to do about the picture quality, on my screen it's pretty clear and sharp. If you're not viewing it through MSIE you might try that.
Lisa
|
pwolf
|
posted on July 26, 2001 09:04:36 PM
kiawok,
I just wondered because the thrift shop near me doesn't seem to be able to give them away. I've seen beautiful mink jackets there for $15 and thought about picking them up.
|
kiawok
|
posted on July 26, 2001 09:28:01 PM
pwolf ..... The last one I picked up at the thrift shop, sold for $400+. 
I've sold several other "thrift shop" fur coats for $75-150. They need to be in very good condition to sell well on eBay.
|
pwolf
|
posted on July 26, 2001 09:32:35 PM
Thanks for the info, kiawok. I think I'll pick some up and if they don't sell at a decent price, I'll make teddy bears out of them.
|
Zugspitz
|
posted on July 26, 2001 09:55:35 PM
Kiawok: you got a BINGO there. Ever seen a life one?
Lisa_B
My money is still on the opossum (about 80% sure) but on the close-up it seems to be a little to bushy. But on my monitor the picture is still very grainy and it is hard to tell.The style of the coat is definetely vintage (look at some old Fred Astaire movies, when Ginger wears a coat, it is cut about the same way)How soft is the fur?
Problem is that when something was fashionable, they tried to make other (less expensive furs)look like it by bleaching and so on. There is a chance it might be goat or something like that.
Do you have a furrier anywhere near you? They should be able to tell you after just one look. If it makes you feel better, tell them you inherited the coat and you're wondering if it would be worth it to change it into a jacket or your size or whatever.
|
kiawok
|
posted on July 26, 2001 10:13:23 PM
Zugspitz ..... Yup, I sure have.
A face only a mother could love .........
[ edited by kiawok on Jul 26, 2001 10:13 PM ]
|
Zugspitz
|
posted on July 26, 2001 10:24:58 PM
kiawok: me too, once. And the closer they are the uglier. Yukkkk
Question: do you like strange pets?
[ edited by Zugspitz on Jul 26, 2001 11:47 PM ]
|
pwolf
|
posted on July 27, 2001 04:44:30 AM
Looks deceptively harmless, doesn't it?
|
Microbes
|
posted on July 27, 2001 04:47:44 AM
Trap one of them critters in a corner, and they get real brave.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
|
pwolf
|
posted on July 27, 2001 05:03:48 AM
I know! My 100 lb. dog was afraid of them.
If you enlarge that possum picture (ala buttonhole, hehe) and make it a little grainy it looks just like the fur coat.
|
Lisa_B
|
posted on July 27, 2001 09:13:40 AM
Thanks for the suggestions and advice, I will take it to a furrier. The coat is actually much more attractive than the possum!
|
pwolf
|
posted on July 27, 2001 02:19:47 PM
That's because the possum hasn't been washed and combed yet. 
|
