SCARF COLLECTOR UK

   Welcome to the wonderful world of scarf collecting

2005-2100  LEVER - Reg.251687 - All rights reserved.   Please note that this website is subject to copyright. All previous and current  text and  pictures etc., must NOT be used   by others for financial gain and should not under any circumstances be used to accompany listings on INTERNET AUCTION SITES which are checked regularly. The Scarf Collector website is non-profit making meaning of course that I personally do not make any financial gain.

 Please note: Due to to the number of emails received I regret that I  am unable to respond to requests for valuations or information on individual scarves as I do not receive any funding whatsoever for the running and upkeep  of the website which of course involves much in depth research which takes up so  much of my own  valuable  time. I am  always interested in hearing from  other scarf collectors who wish to chat about their own collections.

Brand names and logo's mentioned on this website are the property of their respective owners.

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Hello, like many others worldwide I too collect ladies scarves, I found the graphics on many of the scarves fascinating but also found it very difficult to obtain information on the subject, no doubt many of you have been in the same situation. I then decided to research the subject by visiting libraries, archives, silk mills and manufacturers both here in the UK and  also abroad in such places as China, France and Italy. I eventually amassed files full of of 'scarf' information dating back to the 1920/30s. If you too enjoy collecting ladies scarves I hope you enjoy browsing the following pages.  All  of the scarves featured on the website are a just a small  selection from my own collection of hundreds of scarves  with the exception of those scarves featured  in the links pages

Silk scarves will always be top of the list for many collectors, having said that many of the rarer vintage scarves were made from rayon and other fabrics particularly during the  1939-45 WW2 era due to the fact that the use of silk was prohibited as the war progressed  due to the fact that it was used for the manufacture of parachutes and silk escape maps carried by the armed forces.

Better quality silk scarves tend to have a hand rolled edge but not always as I have come across some very interesting vintage quality scarves with a non rolled edge. Don't overlook the travel souvenir scarves many of which are non silk, these scarves were sold in more or less every tourist spot imaginable including Paris, Rome and Venice which were the most popular destinations in the post war era. A few years ago it was quite easy to find souvenir scarves from around the globe but not so today as many of the better quality and more interesting varieties are now in private collections so snap them up now should any come your way!

Many of the scarves featured on this website come under the heading of 'cross collectable' which means that the collector is up against competition from other collectors who collect memorabilia relating to airlines, the royals, perfumes, ships and cars just to name a few subjects.

As the research progressed word spread and I was asked to appear in TV slots such as the BBC Antiques  Road show , Collectors Lot and also magazine articles,  as a result I was inundated with enquiries regarding scarves. Condition is important when buying scarves but yet again many of the older vintage scarves do come with the odd stain or slightly unstitched edges etc., which is to be expected considering their age, don't bypass a rare scarf if it does have some slight damage as it may not come your way again, bargaining power is a must in a case like this. the price of scarves of course can vary depending on where one lives, London will always be more expensive than some of the provincial towns.

Some collectors prefer to collect a particular brand of scarf  such as Liberty, Hermes etc., or maybe a certain  theme such as perfumes or royals, some just prefer silk whether signed or not, I love them all silk or otherwise  and collect across a very wide field from the top of the range designer names to the cheerful travel souvenir scarves. The choice is yours as to what to collect. Do be careful when purchasing the high end of the market couture  names  such as Hermes, Chanel etc., as there are a high number of fakes circulating out there, check for authenticity  especially if you intend paying a high price.

I am only able to add limited information on the website as web space is limited.

 1957 MOSCOW - World FESTIVAL OF YOUTH AND STUDENTS - The first event was held in Prague in 1947 and has since been held in various  other destinations since i.e. the latest being in Caracas in 2005. The rare silk scarf featured here commemorates  the Moscow event in 1957. TELEGRAM-BON VOYAGE SCARF - A very rare rayon neckerchief with graphics depicting a telegram which state greetings to Betty with love and good wishes  from Roturua New Zealand, signed Marie & George, very nostalgic and collectable. After WW2 many British people emigrated to the dominion countries such s New Zealand, Canada and Australia, this scarf date4s from that era, more than likely bought on board ship and possibly posted en-route or on arrival at their final desintation.

Please click on the links below to enter some wonderful websites featuring companies and artists who produce top quality scarves to suit every  taste. A silk scarf is the perfect gift for any occasion, you may even find that 'special'' scarf for a 'special'  person in your life by searching the links below. As new scarves will come with their original packing  this of course will add value and provenance to the scarf as time goes by. I have also added a link to the British Compact Collectors Society which is a must for anyone who is interested in vintage powder  compacts and  vanity items.

BECKFORD SILK  - Beckford silk is a renowned British  based company which  is situated in Gloucestershire England,  Beckford Silk produce wonderful high quality  limited edition  commissioned  silk scarves for many famous institutions such as the British Museum Buckingham Palace, Tate Gallery, Stonehenge, Royal Academy of Arts, National Trust, American Embassy, Hampton Court, Royal Opera House, Egyptian Museum just to name a few.  A visit to this fine establishment is highly recommended, groups are catered for.  Silk  scarves and other silk products can be purchased on site and also via their most interesting  website. Why not enjoy a day out and watch the scarves being printed on site, browse the delightful shop, relax  and enjoy a snack in  in the friendly cafe. An absolute  must for any scarf collector, I am a very keen fan of Beckford scarves. The gorgeous  hand rolled silk scarf featured here on the right  bears the Buckingham Palace tag, the design on the scarf is taken from the Grand Piano in the white Drawing room at the Palace.  The modernist  abstract scarf featured on the left  is also a Beckford silk production,  re-produced from the 1947 original designed by the famous artist Patrick Heron 1920-99 This rare high quality silk scarf  was produced in conjunction with an exhibition of his  his work at THE TATE GALLERY-LONDON in 1998.  http://www.beckfordsilkco.uk/

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 MARYSE SECASOL  The  superb high quality silk  scarves  shown on this web site are are designed by the French fashion designer and  contemporary artist Maryse Casol, made in Lyon, France by Bianchini-Ferier famous for their luxurious silks since1880.   Bianchini-Ferier  are  textile designers for some of the most sought after exclusive haute couture fashion names that grace the catwalks. The graphics on the CASOL collection of scarves are absolutely  stunning as are the colours, very exotic and very collectable, this is artwork at its best and a must not only to wear but also to collect, don't miss out on this fantastic collection. http://www.marysecasol.com

TASARAM MAP SCARVES - A  fine British company who produce high quality but very affordable silk map scarves with wonderful clear graphics, if you like to collect travel scarves this modern version is a must, ideal for anyone who likes souvenir scarves, click on the link for more details of  map locations available. http://www.mapscarves.welcome.com/

  BRITISH COMPACT COLLECTORS SOCIETY- The official British collectors website for powder  compact collectors, click on the link to view some wonderful pictures and information about this fascinating subject plus  membership details. The society holds an annual conference for members and issues a regular newsletter. http://www.compactcollectors.co.uk/

SCARF CLIPS

Scarf Clips as a collectable is still in its infancy, on going research keeps turning up yet more interesting clips, many were made in West Germany which of course is a good clue to the date of manufacture. Some of the best examples were made in France but are much harder to find. Scarf clips are still very affordable but for how much longer? Scarves are very big on the cat walks this season so who knows what the future holds for these little treasures. More info., to follow.