Vintage Norman Hartnell

[jazzsue58]

Hi - new here, but hope you guys can help me out. I found this site thru' googling for fur valuations, and it looked by far the most useful and friendly.

 

I've inherited a 1950's full length fur coat that I want to sell on. I'd wear it myself, but I'm just not pure vintage glamour puss enough. It's in mint condition but without the bill of sale, which I know devalues it straightaway. A slip of paper in the pocket says 'musquat' which I know is a poor man's mink, but it is in mint condition with no flaws whatsoever. It has only had one previous owner who bought it new and only wore it a few times.

 

I think the value may come from the label. There are 2, both sewn into the inside lining at waist height. The top one, which is in dark brown satin, states Barkers of Kensington. The one below that says: Admoir Fur Model designed by Norman Hartnell. It doesn't give a size, but I estimate a British 10 - 12, maybe a 14. My (British) size 6-8 daughter modelled it for me and it looked beautiful on her; although she said it was a bit 'roomy' it didn't swamp her.

 

I know I won't get enormous bucks for it: it is/was common for top designers to create clothes to be sold through department store outlets, at much lower prices than their own originals, but this is hardly George at ASDA! Hartnell designed clothes for our ruling monarch, I know that much (didn't he design her wedding dress?) and I felt this, his name, the vintage Barkers label (one of the top 5 London stores of the time) and time of year (it's freezing at Gatwick right now, so probably 10X worse abroad!) might make this a desirable item to sell or auction? Certainly I'm hoping it's worth a bit more than the ridiulously small sums I've seen similar (non-designer) vintage furs going for on ebay. I'm finding it very difficult to get a value to put on it and, if I decide to keep it, I'll need that anyway so any help you can give me - even if it's just a link to another site - will be welcome. Thanks!

[Guest]

Welcome to The Fur Den jazzsue58

 

I hate to throw cold water on your aspirations to wealth from a Muskrat coat from the 50's but the age alone is a deal clincher.

 

If the fur is of sufficient quality [re a furrier's opinion] maybe remodel it to something more to your liking. Probably a better investment .. or not.

 

OFF

[AKcoyote]

Welcome jazzsue58

 

As OFF indicated the label carries no value on used furs. Condition is the major factor in determining value. If the garment has been properly cared for including regular cleaning and glazing and proper storage, it's value will be much more than if it has been neglected. The only way to get a proper estimate of value is to have a professional furrier look at it, evaluate the condition and estimate its value. If the garment has been neglected, the pelts could be dried out and ready to fall apart. If that is the case, the garment would have almost no value.

[White Fox]

jazzsue58

 

Say, always love to see new members here. Welcome to our little home here...

 

Now then, the guys above gave great advice but there is one thing they forgot. AKCoyote gave you a great idea. However, Furriers have the habit sometimes of valuing a coat for insurance purposes and telling in that value what that coat would be worth if new today. NOT what it is actually worth in it's present condition.

 

I agree with AKcoyote completely that your best bet would be to take it to a furrier, and have them look at it. Just be sure to stress that you do not want an inflated value for insurance purposes. You want to know if it is worth anything to sell. Or if the fur can be used for restyling. etc. In other words. What is it's present value and condition. It is very important that you stress this.

 

White Fox

[jazzsue58]

Thanks guys. It's much as I expected, really - but thanks for reminding me NOT to ask for insurance reasons, so I can get the genuine value! My interest is based more on its value as a collector's item than purely as fur (for example, would Princess Di's designer dresses have fetched that much if they'd been worn by Ms Rich Bitch No Known Name? I think not!) It might have some historical value too. Both Hartnell and Barkers are part of mid-20th century Brit culture/ modern history (both long gone, of course) and who knows, a fashion museum might be prepared to haggle over it. Then again, they usual expect you to donate, not sell ...

 

I'm no expert, but it looks beautifully maintained. The fur is beautifully soft and springy; what I can see under the lining looks supple and not dried out. I took the opportunity to look at some brand new furs and there wasn't much difference between those and this one in terms of condition. My Aunt looked after all her things really well - spraying leather regularly etc so I'm prepared to say this coat was treated the same way. It certainly looks and feels that way.

 

Vintage designer wear is big fashion news in the UK at the moment, so I'm going to follow this one through. Someone suggested the V and A museum may be able to help (they specialise in fashion history) and if they like it enough to want it, I might just donate after all. Either way, I think it would be a shame to attack it with scissors!