The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-05-21
PRICES PAID FOR FURS
AT WORLDS GREATEST AUCTION

Der almost 100000 head and are con-
stantly growing in numbers. At the
time Uncle Sam turned this herd
over to the expert and watchful care
Of Hugh NJ. Smith, Commissioner of
Fisheries at Washington. the herd was
decimated and would have presently
been annihilated by poachers who kill
ed without discretion and without re-
gard to the future of these splendid
fur-bearers.
For the first time In the history of
the trade old bull sealskins have been
dressed and dyed. These are known
as wigs" because at a certain age the
bull seal grows a thick coarse name
upon his head and heretofore these
furs have been almost given away,
to be worn without dyeing in the cold
er ATTITUDES. At the recent sale these
averaged $50 each. and for this rea-
son, they are coming into demand by
dyers. The pelt of the bachelor seal
around three years old measures be-
tween 40 and 48 inches; while those
of the old wigs" measure from SIS to
80 inches each, and will cut up for
coat or garment to much better ad-
vantage and are very thick and warm.
Australian Rabbit Furs.
Fifty thousand pounds Of New Zea-
land and 100000 pounds of Australian
rabbit skins were sold at st. Louis at
15 per cent advance over prices
paid last September at the fall sale.
American ingenuity has invented ma
chinery for its shearing, dyeing. ETC..
so that these will now come to Ameri-
ca instead of going to London, as for
merly. Australia has long looked upon
the local rabbit as pest, or at least
a grave liability; this now promises
to be changed, as there will be pleas
ure in hunting for fur which pays a
profit in handling. Australian rabbit
formerly went to Antwerp for shear
ing, dressing and dyeing and to Lon
don for their sales market; all this
will be largely done in the United
States in future.
We have noted these facts at some
length because of their Importance.
The fact is the Australian rabbit skin
is the basis of many so-called imitation
furs and when properly handled it
takes on semblance of more costly
pelts, and sells for little money. In
addition to this is the fact that this
skin makes fine felt, and this the
American bunny fails to do, and felt
has its own important use in manufac-
ture, notably as to mems hats and in
some lines Of cloth.
Siberian Furs and Conditions
Siberia Is largely farming country
and the representatives of that little
known land brought a very cheerful
message to this country. They stated
that they have an abundance-that's
the word, abundance" of butter. farm
products, wheat and meat. They also
stated that their country had gone on
producing as usual over wide domain
and that the reports of distress in any
part OF Siberia are largely exaggera-
tions. What they need is manufac-
tured products. Representatives OF
cooperative Siberian unions were at
the sale and brought with them on
/ that long journey a lot of Siberian
furs, such as the ermine, sable, kolin.
sky, squirrel, white fox, marmot, etc.
They bought in ST. Louis more than
5000 pieces of agricultural machinery
more than 100000 pairs of boots, a
large line of cotton and wooden cloth
and other supplies now impossible to
Obtain in Siberia. They stated that
Siberia, as a farming and stock coun
try has not succumbed to Bolshevism
! and that they have maintained law
and order, during and since the war
| This makes pleasant reading in these
days of upheavals and uncertainties.
| Model Fur Garments Exhibited
/ The writer, speaking from expert
ence. can assure the ladies who read
/ The Palladium, that the exhibit OF
beautiful fur garments made at these
sales is we'll worth a long journey te
view Having attended these sales
! on occasion it is a pleasure to state
| that nowhere in all the world can one
| now see finer or more complete
+, single exhibition Of the worlds mos
beautiful and costly ready-to-wear furs
than in the show room at these tri
annual sales, September. January anC
! May of each year. Only the yer.
finest of each class is shown and thu
artistic designs, the exquisite lining:
and the showing of gowns to be worr
with them, in the display this year, NJ
mere man should attempt to paint
either in words or oils.