I and one other person recently mentioned that the fun part of rug buying was the hunt. Today I agree more than ever.
Today, I got a call from the Abrigal, the Christie's Auction rug buyer, on a rug that I purchased last July at O"Galleries. O'Gallerie's is the auction house where another rug made it to the NY auctions.

Last July purchased two rugs for $100 including fees from O'Gallerie's day auction. Day auctions are junk that aren't expect to bring $100. Since it was a day auction it's not included in their achirves. One was a 1980 unique very early war rug that I won't waste you time on.

I took the Christie's call rug to two local antique rug dealers. Both said it was a special 1890's that was part of history and that it needed to go back to Turkey for quality restoration. Both mentioned that once restored that it would be a Christie's type rug. That restoration would cost up to $4,000 so I just held on to the rug.

Recently someone suggested that I send pictures to major NY auctions houses and ask them what needed to be done to the rug.

To my surprise I recieved a call after one week. The buyer said, due to the damage, the rug would not be appropiate for their rug auctions. This was no surprise to me, and I expected her to say, thanks but no thanks. However, she stated the rug could be put in their interior decor auction and bring $2,000 to $2,500 (less 25% fee plus postage and illustration fees). She was apologetic and thought I would probably want to keep it since that was below my expectations.

Of course, she was shocked when I told her I bought it for $50 and even $1,500 would be great. She keep repeating how great of a rug it was due to color and design. She suggested I take it James Opie, who lives here in Portland and see if he has a buyer. So that is my next step.

Christie's does't take repaired rug so sending it to Turkey was not an option (she then mentioned some Turkish restorer are so good it presents a problem for Christie to tell the difference.)

I will contact Opie,but I expect to call her again, get the paper work, and send it in. She is on vacation next week so that will take some time. If anyone is interested I'll give you an update and an auction number. Ofcourse I could be givng you a tall tale so until I produce the auction number I have nothing but a story

A local antique rug dealer got a direct quote from Turkey of $4,000. Was he over charging me at this price? Could be, I didn't get a second opinion.
He told me it was a Shahsavan. Christie's thought it was a Kazak, but, of course, couldn't tell for sure until it is was in hand. Her, Christie's, statement was their client's do not want restored rugs, or should I say not the amount that it would take to restore this rug. Possibily that is what she was stating. Her statement about great repairs in Turkey might mean the difference in price between amount of repair.
She also said in good condition it would be a $6,000 rug so it would make sense for me to restore it if it cost $2,000. I'm only takning her advice.

Chris I certainly agree. In this enviroment there are too many if. Any estimate of value is only that until the hammer comes down or check is written.

How about a picture of the selvages when you get a chance. I really liked that Balouch
and wish I could have bought it. You should ask
Christies what they think of it. You don't have to tell them you already sold it.

Thanks for the quick reply but that doesn't show me what I need to see. Is there any original selvage remaining
that you could describe or photograph. What color is it, or is multicolored? Opie is mostly known for SW Persian
Rugs, I have his book somewhere, not that he doesn't know other rugs. I think he's on the Antiques Road Show
sometimes. Anyway if you do send it somewhere for repair make sure you know the people well because there isn't
as much work to do as it appears. The re-knotting goes very quickly and I wouldn't expect more than a week of work
or less.

Those are perfect and I still think your rug is a Shirvan and maybe it would get a few thousand or
more, you never can tell at an auction. It is a very attractive rug from a desirable group intact without
holes, etc. Some people believe you shouldn't restore rugs like this but display them the way they are but
that's up to the owner. I guess it's like refinishing furniture. I'd think twice about selling this one especially
with the market down so much. You can always sell it in the future. The story of the hunt is better if you
keep some of the prizes.