TRADE TERMS

Te Ao Hou, July 1958, Page 63

TRADE TERMS Bleaching: White furs are seldom free of yellow stains. Such spots usually undergo a bleaching operation which tends to weaken the hair. Other furs often are partially bleached to improve their colour. Blending: This occurs when different skins in a garment do not match in colour. In such cases the lighter skins will be “blended” in by brushing a dye over the tips of the hairs. Blended furs may fade quickly over the treated parts. The buyer should inquire whether this process has been used. Dropping: Skins are sometimes lengthened or broadened by cutting them into narrow strips and stitching them together to give evenness or impart line. This is a highly skilled, lengthy process used only with the best pieces, such as mink and sable. Dyeing: Though experts claim this art has now been developed to the point where the wearing qualities are not seriously impaired, dyeing tends to weaken furs. Some furs are dyed only to improve the colour of poorer pelts. Sometimes when the hair is thin the skin alone is dyed to hide this thinness. Dyeing can be detected by blowing aside the hair and examining the skin. Undyed skins are white or light buff. Dyed leather will range from a dark, golden colour to black. Leathering: There is only one purpose to this—cheapening. Furs with particularly thick hair are cut into strips, interspersed with leather strips and then sewn together. This practice can be