HAR,

Welcome. This is a fascinating thread. While I expect your friend may be correct about the age of the breeches, I am sure you recognize the handicap faced when trying to evaluate items such as yours via photographs. And, while I am sure you would never dream of such a thing, unscrupulous people have been known to marry up distinguished documents with run-of-the-mill items and even to forge the documents. I sincerely do not believe you have anything like that in mind and I do not think your friend would be quite so dismissive of X Marks members' knowledge and expertise face to face. He is working with better information than most of us, but I am sure he would be polite and tactful just as you have been.

It looks to me as if you face a difficult situation. If your heirlooms are too valuable, you may be forced to sell them. Perhaps selling them to a relative is the ideal solution. And maybe you have sufficient other treasures that these would only crowd your personal collection. Still, it is always trying to consider parting with one's heritage. I wish you good luck in this (ad)venture.

Please keep us informed.

MacLL