| Name of Fur | Durability Otter = 100 | Wt. in oz. per sq. ft. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astrachan | 10 | 3 | |
| Bear, brown or black | 94 | 7 | |
| Beaver, natural | 90 | 4 | |
| Beaver, plucked | 85 | 37⁄8 | |
| Chinchilla | 15 | 11⁄2 | |
| Civet cat | 40 | 23⁄4 | |
| Coney | 20 | 3 | |
| Ermine | 25 | 11⁄4 | |
| Fox, natural | 40 | 3 | |
| Fox, dyed black | 25 | 3 | |
| Genet | 35 | 23⁄4 | |
| Goat | 15 | 41⁄8 | |
| Hare | 05 | 21⁄4 | |
| Krimmer | 60 | 3 | |
| Kolinsky | 25 | 3 | |
| Leopard | 75 | 4 | |
| Lynx | 25 | 23⁄4 | |
| Marten, Baum natural | 65 | 23⁄4 | |
| Marten, Baum blended | 45 | 23⁄4 | |
| Marten, Stone natural | 45 | 27⁄8 | |
| Marten, Stone dyed | 35 | 27⁄8 | |
| Mink, natural | 70 | 31⁄4 | |
| Mink, dyed | 35 | 31⁄4 | |
| Mink, Jap | 20 | 3 | |
| Mole | 07 | 13⁄4 | |
| Muskrat | 45 | 31⁄4 | |
| Nutria, plucked | 25 | 31⁄4 | |
| Opossum, natural | 37 | 3 | |
| Opossum, dyed | 20 | 3 | |
| Opossum, Australian | 40 | 31⁄2 | |
| Otter, land | 100 | 41⁄2 | |
| Otter, sea | 100 | 41⁄2 | |
| Persian lamb | 65 | 31⁄4 | |
| Pony, Russian | 35 | 31⁄2 | |
| Rabbit | 05 | 21⁄4 | |
| Raccoon, natural | 65 | 21⁄4 | |
| Raccoon, dyed | 50 | 21⁄2 | |
| Sable | 60 | 21⁄2 | |
| Sable, blended | 45 | 21⁄2 | |
| Seal, fur | 80 | 31⁄2 | |
| Seal, fur dyed | 70 | 31⁄8 | |
| Skunk, tipped | 50 | 27⁄8 | |
| Squirrel, grey | 20–25 | 13⁄4 | |
| Wolf, natural | 50 | 61⁄2 | |
| Wolverine | 100 | 7 |
In estimating the value of a fur, many factors have to be considered. There is no one standard by which the skins are judged, each kind of fur having its own criterion. However, the general points by which raw furs are graded are, color, size, origin, quality and quantity of hair, condition of leather, date or season of trapping, methods of handling, etc. Beaver, for example, is graded as large, medium, small and cubs. Red foxes, first, into Alaska, Labrador, and Nova Scotia, and then these divisions are classed as large, medium and small. Skunks are graded according to the amount of white on the skin, the less white, the more valuable the fur.
The qualities which make a fur desired depend first of all on the nature of the fur itself. Pretty color, luster, thickness, softness, length, uniformity and regular fall of the hair are the chief points to be considered. While the leather part of the fur is of secondary importance in the evaluation of a fur, it must possess strength, lightness of weight, and when properly dressed, should be supple and have a certain firmness or ‘feel.’ The abundance or scarcity of a fur-bearing animal also determines the value of the fur. Furs which are always comparatively rare, such as silver fox, Russian sable, chinchilla, etc., are always highly prized. In this connection, circumstances which tend to decrease the number of available pelts of any particular animal, such as pestilences, gradual extermination due to excessive trapping, prevention of trapping, by protective laws, also affect the value of a fur. A third factor which has an influence on the value of furs, is the prevailing style or fashion. Many kinds of furs which are both beautiful and rare, such as Russian sable or chinchilla, are practically unaffected by the whims of fashion. But a fur of ordinary value may at times become so popular, that the demand for it will cause its price to be greatly increased. Similarly, a fur which has enjoyed a considerable vogue, may pass out of demand for a time and consequently depreciate in value.
A detailed description of the various furs used in commerce is not within the scope of this work, because such an account rightly belongs in a book on zoölogy. However, it is desirable that the reader who is interested in the dressing and dyeing of furs should have at least a passing acquaintance with the chief furs used in commerce, together with such of their individual characteristics as are of importance. The figures given are for the average dressed skin.[1]
Astrachan, see Lambs.
Badger.—2 × 1 ft. This is one of the few animals whose fur is darker on the belly than on the back. The American sorts have coarse, thick under-hair of a pale fawn or stone color, with a growth of longer black and white hairs 3–4 inches long. The Japanese varieties are usually dyed for imitation skunk. The American kind is also dyed occasionally but is mostly used natural. Badger hair is very extensively used for ‘pointing.’
Bear, Black.—6 × 3 ft. Has fine, dark brown under-hair, with bright, flowing black top-hair 4 inches long. The fur of cubs is nearly as long, although the skins are much smaller, and the hair is finer, softer, and lighter-pelted. The best skins are from Canada.
Bear, Brown.—6 × 3 ft. Similar to the Black Bear, but more limited in number. The color ranges from a light yellow to a rich dark brown. The best and most valuable sorts come from the Hudson Bay territory, inferior skins coming from Europe and Asia.
Bear, White.—10 × 5 ft. This is the largest of the bears. The hair is short and close except on the flanks, while the color ranges from white to yellow. The best skins come from Greenland, the whitest being the most valuable.
Beaver.—3 × 2 ft. This is the largest of the rodents, and is very widely used; formerly to a great extent in the hat trade. The under-hair is close and of a bluish-brown hue, and nearly an inch deep. The over-hair is coarse, bright black or reddish-brown in color, and is usually plucked out, as the under-hair is the attractive part of the fur. The darkest skins are the most valuable. Formerly beaver was used to dye in imitation of seal, but more suitable furs are now used.