THE SEAL'S SKIN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2295, 26 March 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE SEAL'S SKIN.

There is a popular notion that the sealskin, as we see it at the furrier's, is just as it is taken off of the animal. Nothing, however, could be more contrary to fact. Few skins are less attractive than this at first, as the fur is entirety covered and hidden by the dull gray-brown and grizzled over-hair. This mask has then to be removed, and it is an operation requiring patience and skill, with a consequent increase in price. The unhairing is effected by warmth and moisture, which softens the roots of the over-hair and enables it to be pulled ont, or by shaving the inner side very thin, which cuts off the roots of the hair, which penetrate deeply, and leaves untouched thosa of the fur, which are very superficial. Whichever method is employed, the hair must be taken off uniformly, or the fur will never lie smoothly, but always have a rumpled look; and this can never be corrected by any subsequent treatment. This will explain to some extent the cause of the high price of sealskin jackets and cloaks, and also the cause of the different prices one hears of, as a good many skiris are more or less spoilt in the dressing. Another cause, too, is the quality of the dye, and the workmanship employed in its use. The liquid colour is put on with a brush, and the points of the standing fur carefully coveted ; the skin is then rolled up, fur inside, and then after a little time, hung up and dried. The dry dye is then removed, and a further coat applied, dried, removed, and so on till the requisite shade is obtained. One or two of these coats are laid on thick and pressed down to the roots of the fur, malting what is called the ground. From eight to twelve coats are needed to produce a good color. No wonder a first-class sealskin is expensive ; it is just as true now as ever it was ; but in these days of universal cheapness one is apt to forget that, if you want a really good thing, you must pay a good price.