Seal sporrans

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 12th November 08, 08:28 PM

Any further comment by me will get this post pulled for being political.

http://www.iwmc.org/seals/seals02.htm

In 1972 the United States Congress, pressured by animal activist forces, passed the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Its intent, besides enhancing the image of elected officials, was to prevent the import of any marine mammal products. Dolphins as by-catch in fishing operations and whitecoat harp seal pups as objects of the fur trade, were highlighted as receiving special protection through the Act.

Since 1972, the MMPA has been seen in a different light. Many Americans have been harmed by the resultant trade policy and enforcement of the Act has resulted in many violations of NAFTA and the Uruguay agreements under the GATT treaty. Even some of America's allies are beginning to consider formal complaints to a GATT panel. This was thoroughly discussed at a November 1997 meeting on the future of sealing, convened by NAMMCO in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

**Wompet** · 12th November 08, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

Actually that should read:

let every US Citizen know not to buy from them.

The above brought to you by your friendly neighbourhood Canadian.

I guess I was too succinct earlier.
Yes, residents of the U.S. shouldn't buy from this seller because they are making what are essentially false claims and by doing so, in my opinion at least, are engaging in somewhat shady business practices.

As for members of the board who do not reside in the U.S. - if this seller is making these sort of false statements in at least a portion of its advertising, what is to say it isn't lying about something else? Are their shipping rates actually that low? Are their products actually Scottish made? Are those kilts actually handsewn? Is that actually 16 oz PV that they use in their casual kilts?
(Whoops - I found another lie there, and I wasn't even trying to.)

I don't tend to think of Canadian members, or U.S. members, or British members, or Tasmanian members. I think "Members of X Marks the Scot." And as such, to all the members - with all of the fine, reputable purveyors of kilt apparel available, would you want to trust your money to someone whose honesty is questionable?

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 13th November 08, 05:13 PM

Maybe its Phoca Phalsa!

Please, Mr. Customs Person, this is not really seal. I'm not sure what it is, but it isn't seal!

**kevinkinney** · 16th December 08, 09:05 AM

Hello Rabble,

I'm glad to revisit this post.

I've just had a customer offer me her grandmother's 50's vintage seal fur coat for free. She can't think of any reason to keep it.

From a creative standpoint, I want to take it in and find a use for it.

From an ethical standpoint, I'm a bit queasy.

From an ecological viewpoint, I can't stand to see it go to waste.

Any thoughts?

Kevin

**McMurdo** · 16th December 08, 09:18 AM

I think ethically it would better to use the vintage seal fur coat than to go out and get a new sealskin sporran, and as you say it would be a shame for it to go to waste. Then again I have a sealskin sporran and see no problem with it.

**Riverkilt** · 16th December 08, 09:25 AM

Would the various rules and regs involved allow you to cut up the sealskin coat to use to make sealskin sporrans?

"Its okay officer, my sealskin sporran is made from pre-ban pelts cut out of an old coat."

Ron

**CelticRanger66** · 16th December 08, 09:37 AM

I say turn the coat into sporrans! I would love one myself.

**JS Sanders** · 16th December 08, 09:45 AM

Think of the sealskin coat as old ivory.

Pipemakers regularly use old ivory billiard balls to turn decorative mounts on bagpipes & subsequently sell them for profit. No laws broken since it was pre-ban ivory. Same for the sealskin coat.

I would caution against taking the sporrans abroad and re-entering the US without documentation to indicate its origin though.

Slan,
steve

**PiobBear** · 16th December 08, 10:11 AM

've just had a customer offer me her grandmother's 50's vintage seal fur coat for free. She can't think of any reason to keep it.

From a creative standpoint, I want to take it in and find a use for it.

From an ethical standpoint, I'm a bit queasy.

From an ecological viewpoint, I can't stand to see it go to waste.

Any thoughts?

I made a red fox sporran from a woman's stole I bought off of EBay for $15.00, and derive great satisfaction from it for precisely the reasons you mentioned. I would have no ethical conflict with using it, as I'm not harvesting wildlife; it's recycled. Rather, I'd have a problem with it's being wasted. Yes; it did cost the lives of it's contributors, but shouldn't that make it even more of a precious resource that should be thoughtfully utilized to it's fullest extent, and not simply disposed of?

(If you have a sporran-sized scrap to spare, please keep me in mind)

**Smayniac** · 16th December 08, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by kevinkinney

Hello Rabble,

I'm glad to revisit this post.

I've just had a customer offer me her grandmother's 50's vintage seal fur coat for free. She can't think of any reason to keep it.

From a creative standpoint, I want to take it in and find a use for it.

From an ethical standpoint, I'm a bit queasy.

From an ecological viewpoint, I can't stand to see it go to waste.

Any thoughts?

Kevin

The badger you steered me toward a couple of months ago excited some small controversy when I posted pics of the finished product. Some thought it might be a protected UK "brock." That said, I have to agree with those who say go for it. One of the fur industry's big points these days is the fact that fur can be restyled or repurposed to fill a new need. I know it won't work in your case, but I made sure to save the furriers label from the stole and install it on the inside of the head on flap for my sporran.

Bob