Quality Sporrans for less money

[Troglodyte]

Here's the exact opposite of this thread's brief, one of those grab-your-popcorn sporrans.

These late Victorian/Edwardian beauties come up on Ebay so very rarely. 18 bids already.

What's your guess? Will it go for a thousand pounds?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18682535026...Bk9SR-LHsIX0ZA

When dealers are attempting to justify the price of an item that has little intrinsic value, they say 'Go and find another.'

I think that is the situation we have here.

Winning bid on this was £2,550 ($3,250us) and is an awful lot for what some might see as only a bit of old leather and white metal. But I think we all agree this sporran is a bit more than just that.

Clearly the winning bidder does too, even though he could probably commission a new replica for half the price, and have hallmarked silver as part of the deal.

But that's not really the point. We all want the genuine, authentic vintage item, so I say 'Well played, that man..!' to the lucky bidder.

Myself, I think the money is better spent on a must-have vintage sporran which can be kept and enjoyed for ever, and by future generations also, than on, say, a few days' tropical cruise which gives you only sunburn and memories.

Ars longa, vita brevis, occasio praeceps, as the Romans used to say...

[figheadair]

When dealers are attempting to justify the price of an item that has little intrinsic value, they say 'Go and find another.'

I think that is the situation we have here.

Winning bid on this was £2,550 ($3,250us) and is an awful lot for what some might see as only a bit of old leather and white metal. But I think we all agree this sporran is a bit more than just that.

Clearly the winning bidder does too, even though he could probably commission a new replica for half the price, and have hallmarked silver as part of the deal.

But that's not really the point. We all want the genuine, authentic vintage item, so I say 'Well played, that man..!' to the lucky bidder.

Myself, I think the money is better spent on a must-have vintage sporran which can be kept and enjoyed for ever, and by future generations also, than on, say, a few days' tropical cruise which gives you only sunburn and memories.

Ars longa, vita brevis, occasio praeceps, as the Romans used to say...

Based on the lack of any (reported) hallmarks, I'd expected something like £1500-1800.

This one, which was surely from the same maker, sold in 2013 for £1000.

McGillivary and sons, Glasgow 1908 (L&T £1000 including fees, 2013).jpg

[Hauge]

A lil interesting, to see the bid log...

Bidder no three maybe left at £768...

https://www.ebay.com/bfl/viewbids/18....m145235.l2565

Really hope, this made the new owner happy!

[Troglodyte]

Based on the lack of any (reported) hallmarks, I'd expected something like £1500-1800.

This one, which was surely from the same maker, sold in 2013 for £1000.

McGillivary and sons, Glasgow 1908 (L&T £1000 including fees, 2013).jpg

Is the lucky new owner anyone we know, do you think..?

[Troglodyte]

And now there's this - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335718385626

Bidding has already taken the cost over £300 and there are still six days to go!

This one has a superb cantle, and would make a very nice addition to any collection - what a pity, then, that the strap keepers and pocket flap are missing.

My guess is that it would once have looked more like this

DSCF7007.jpg

[figheadair]

And now there's this - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335718385626

Bidding has already taken the cost over £300 and there are still six days to go!

This one has a superb cantle, and would make a very nice addition to any collection - what a pity, then, that the strap keepers and pocket flap are missing.

My guess is that it would once have looked more like this

DSCF7007.jpg

A Long-haired Young & Tatton - that's probably going to make £1500-£2000.

Ah yes. I know who the seller is. He has quite a collection which he is beginning to sell off. Stand by!

[Padraicog]

And now there's this - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335718385626

This one has a superb cantle, and would make a very nice addition to any collection - what a pity, then, that the strap keepers and pocket flap are missing.

DSCF7007.jpg

I agree. But wearing the sporran the right way round it seems not to matter too much

[OC Richard]

For those that missed this beauty here are some photos from the Ebay listing.

The most interesting thing to me is the way they combined the loops for a sporran belt and the rings for a sporran chain.

[Troglodyte]

I agree. But wearing the sporran the right way round it seems not to matter too much

Very true.

And that seems to be no concern for a great many people, if the number of sporrans available with no carrying capacity at all is anything to go by.

Have a look at this early 20th century (Edwardian?) example - its only function is ornament. A beauty just the same.

DSCF6394.jpg DSCF6396.jpg

[OC Richard]

Alright travelling back to the brief a WE Scott "semi dress" not my cup of tea but Scottish made for 10 dollars

https://www.ebay.com/itm/38770781140...Bk9SR6jRhIf2ZA

Much nicer here, a rather older WE Scott "day" sporran back when they were still stamping the "X" with four sun-circles on the leather stamp tab on back.

I know they had dropped this nice feature by the time of their 1953 Patent, and the Hugh MacPherson stamped sporrans (see below) that I've seen lack it, taking us back to 1946.

Currently around 10 dollars, it will go up I'm sure.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22648914637...Bk9SR6jRhIf2ZA

Another nice WE Scott brown "day" sporran, stamped Hugh MacPherson Edinburgh St Catherines. Up around 30 dollars now, it will go up too.

Hugh MacPherson opened his Edinburgh shop in 1946 which frames the earliest timing nicely. I don't know when he stopped selling WE Scott sporrans under the Hugh MacPherson stamp, but all the ones I've seen have been older.

What about the "St Catherines" part? At the age of 17, in 1924, Hugh moved to Canada and soon started importing and selling piping supplies. When he returned to Scotland in 1945 his brother was left in charge of the Ontario business. I've not seen a sporran stamped "Hugh MacPherson St Catherines" so perhaps it was after 1945 that Hugh struck up his relationship with WE Scott.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15657215654...Bk9SR6jRhIf2ZA

Pound Shop find! WE Scott "semi dress" with seal front for you outwith the USA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26709253210...Bk9SR8ry2Ij2ZA

Nicoll Brothers "semi dress" with seal front 25 dollars once again taboo for those in the USA.

The seal has had damage. What eats the seal? Moths?

No measurements are provided, and this sporran has a bit of a "youth size" feel to it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18683287258...Bk9SR8zy2Ij2ZA