Selling Vintage Fur

The debate over fur is an emotional battleground where ethics, attitudes and lifestyles collide. 

- Jan Tomes 

I recently wrote and published an essay about fur.

You may read it here.

This past weekend I attended an INCREDIBLE holiday event in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.  There were many talented vendors selling their creations.  One booth that was crowded and clearly selling their goods. A vintage fur booth!  

I have owned and worn fur in the past - 1980's. It was a full length wolf coat.  Then I shied away from it for obvious reasons.  I tried to sell it in the late 90's and nobody would touch it.  I think I ended up dropping it off at a clothing donation box.  Hopefully someone who needed to stay warm ended up with it.  It was beautiful and toasty warm. 

Now I am asking different questions like:

1.  What should we do with the thousands of used fur coats?  Send them to a landfill?

2.  Should we give them away to people in need?  Those who must stay warm?

3.  What about film and theatre costume departments? Do they need furs?

4.  Is it OK to wear vintage fur?

5.  Are the furs our Grandmothers wore now collectible and it is OK to collect them?

6.  Recycle?  Upcycle? Burn?

7.  Donate them to charity?

8.  Give them to museums?

Price list of the average price of used fur:

• Rabbit or Raccoon jacket: $100 – $500
• Mink coat or jacket: $300-$750
• Mink or Sable collared 1950s – 1960s wool coat: $75 to $250
• Fox stole: $150 – $300
• Mink or Sable stole: $200-$400
• Mink or Sable collar: $20-$75
• Mink or Sable boa: $50 – $200
• Persian or Broadtail Lamb coat or jacket: $50-$450, more with mink collars or excellent condition
• Mouton Lamb coat or jacket: $50 – $350. I’m a big fan of these personally but they often don’t age well.
• Muff (Fox, Mink, Lamb): $40 – $350. A muff in good condition can go for strangely high prices.
• Full Pelt (w/heads and feet) Fox stole: $50 – $300
• Full Pelt Mink/Sable/Marten stole (w/heads & feet): $35-$150
• Other types of furs in coats, jackets and stoles will usually range from $50 to $300.
• $1000 and up for a full coat for the following furs: chinchilla, lynx, modern sables especially with provenance such as Blackglama. 
• Source We Love Fur

"Animal use is an integral part of many people’s lives, and is linked to essential products in our everyday life, such as medication, food, and clothing. Animals are used in medical testing in order to find cures to life-threatening diseases. We eat animals and while some people question the need to do this, there is plenty of evidence it can be done without harm to our planet. In fact, lots of land is better suited for pasture than for cultivation. And remember that animal manure is used to replenish the soil to grow crops. But if we are concerned about possible impacts, a small reduction in the amount of meat we consume – and waste – can go a long way. And lastly, we wear many types of animal products in order to protect ourselves from the elements. Fashion may not be essential, but clothing is. The need to keep warm in cold weather is a matter of life and death." - Truth About Fur

What are your thoughts on fur?

I love fur. I just don't know what to do about that 'love'.

I think it will remain in my heart as a memory.

I am perplexed.

Peace Love Create Art

Patti

xo

Patti Friday: Reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'