I have the opportunity to buy a monkey fur coat for next to nothing but it's not the standard long monkey fur... I honestly think it might be baboon. It's grey like baboon and slightly crimped also and oh so very soft. It's also about the right length to be baboon. Did people make coats out of baboon? I have never seen one before. Is this a worth while purchase (100% perfect condition). Also, how would I go about selling it? I have had monkey fur pulled in the past from eBay and I don't really have an online shop where I sell clothing (although I could put it on my website). Any ideas?
Monkey is an endangered species and cannot be sold on EBay. In some states, you can sell endangered fur within the state lines, but you'd have to research what can and cannot be sold in your state. Are you sure it's not some type of goat, sheep, or llama fur? The crimped or curly texture would indicate one of those furs to me. And those types of fur would be legal to sell. I've never heard of a coat made from baboon. Any chance you can post a photo? Alternatively, you could check the VFG Fur Resource to see if you can identify the fur. Good luck!
Monkey isn't sale-able? Is it just certain types of monkey? I've been watching some run through (poor returns this time of year) since I know a lady with one. Of course she thinks hers is worth it's weight in gold (or gasoline!).
I don't know of any primate hair that is super-soft, other than on a baby's head. Yes, please post a pic if possible. Janine
Then again, I could be wrong. Maybe they are fluffy. Google 'baboon' and go to images and you will see lots of them. There's even a baboon spider! I looks soft & fluffy, too. Janine
Jody is correct. It is illegal in many states and several countries. For you to sell it within a local area like she is explaning (and not all areas would allow it but hypothetically) you would have to have irrefutable documentation of its age. An opinion by a vintage dealer would not hold water nor would any modern appraisal. Original sales receipt from when it was purchased years ago - or an insurance valuation with photos from back then, etc (NOT family snap shots). If it were worn by a famous person or it was remarkably old you may get away with selling to to an archive or museum but that is negligible because there is not a high demand. But with no documentation the only thing that can happen is to be passed down in a family, etc. If she is seeking to sell it not because she thinks she is sitting on a goldmine, but wants to sell it because it was passed to her and she doesn't like the idea of having it in her possession is to tell her to donate it to Coats for Cubs that uses parts of old furs for rehabilitation programs for abandoned or orphaned wild animals. She would get a donation write off. Or donate it to a non profit theater or educational theater group. But just find out if they actually wanted based on their show line up because people usually have the same idea and they take up storage space. Or encourage her to pass it to a relative who would get some enjoyment from it. If she is more in it for the cash, or wants money on principle I would explain to her why it isn't saleable. And therefore that is why even if it was for short money, its not desirable to you. I know there was a discussion here awhile back about "its not legal - but who is going to blow the whistle". Sure, you MIGHT get away with it, but the simple fact is that you put your business at risk. (or explain to her how she can get a write off for said donation to a theater group IF its non profit or Coats for Cubs, etc.) If you are basing the decision not on business/resale but because you personally want the item for your own closet, then the choice is up to you - maybe suggest a trade for some goods that she would be interested in so she is not in the position of feeling she is being swindled by giving an item of perceived value away.
So this will be the same situation as my friend with the leopard coat. If she wanted to give it to me for my own collection, it would be ok, since we are in the same town/state. I would never be able to sell it, though. It would be for me only.
I recently bought a baboon fur...it's an early 1940s capelet, quite lovely, lined in salmon coloured silk crepe. I wonder what the laws are like here, in Australia? Technically it's for sale in my shop, but I don't mind hanging on to it. I took it to a local trader who specialises in vintage furs and they didn't believe it was baboon, but confirmed that it is. The description matches anessa's above. There can't be too many of them around. Good luck with it, whatever you choose to do.
I think as a businessperson you need to investigate what the laws and regulations are for your area. If its not legal - or only legal to sell in certain circumstances (for example if it were legal in australia but you would be culpable if you sold it to a british or american tourist and they tried to bring it back home) - the defense that you didn't know the law would not hold water. It is just good business practice just like antique dealers need to know the laws about selling ivory and the like.
You're quite right. I've found that (not unsurprisingly) it's illegal to import or export endangered species but there doesn't seem to be any restrictions on selling them here. The furrier I mentioned didn't seem to think it a problem, in fact they offered to sell it for me, but it's possible that they aren't aware of the laws. To make sure, I'll take it out of the shop until I know the legal situation. I also have a handbag made from elephant hide, but that one is not for sale. Now I know why I've never found one on ebay! thanks for your comment.
on the subject of Monkey fur, I have been looking for one (just the long black fur type) for a while, I only have a cape. There is one at a thrift kind of nearby but they have it marked $200 and are firm on the price. I've seen them around this price at markets so I left it....should I have??? and If anyone has one they want to sell, let me know, I'd prefer a shorter style. Also did anyone catch this controversy, what an amazing vintage piece though, I have never seen a coat like this http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?fr=ybr_sbc&p=monkey coat burns
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/202/202989_no_action_over_petes_fur_coat.html here's another link that I think has a pic.
