World's greatest overcoat - replacing fur lining?

A few months ago I bought this bespoke Edwardian overcoat (4 December 1907) : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251158623268 (well car-coat really) because it reminded of a coat I had once seen the Prince of Wales sporting in a photo. Some random fellow even blogged about the coat a few months later: http://the-shoe-aristocat.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/vintage-gentlemans-astrakhan-overcoat.html





It's a real beauty and fits like a glove. I particularly like the slight A-line of the coat and hte scalloped turn-back cuffs. It also doesn't make you look like an extra from a period drama - just looks lux and a bit Russian.

Anyway, the coat is so old more, than 100 years, that despite being in mint condition when I received it, and despite me wearing it less than a half dozen times and carefully at that, the ancient leather of the fur lining and astrakhan collar is starting to crack in places. It is a relatively small problem now, but not one that I think cannot be fixed - the fur is just really old and delicate. The superstructure of the coat itself is fine and looks brand new.

I want to replace the collar and fur lining at some stage this year i.e. before next winter, but am not really sold on fur (unless it is antique/second hand) from an ethical point of view.

Can anyone advise on the best way to resolve this issue? I had thought of buying up some 1980s fur coats and an astrakhan coat on ebay and then asking a furrier to canibalise them to replace the lining/collar - is this possibe?

I live in London now and travel to Paris a bit - so I can't imagine that finding the necessary craftsman will be impossible - but if anyone could suggest a seamstress or furrier for the job that would be great.

Some snaps of the coat can be seen at the ebay link or below:



Here are some snaps that inspired me to pick it up.

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Edited by Clovis Sangrail - 1/17/13 at 1:24am

Feel it would detract from the integrity of the garment if I didn't at least shoot for replacing like to like. Also not sure one can get fake Astrakhan.

Yes, I'm trying to. I actually feel a bit guilty wearing it - suppose it should be in a costume museum - when doing so inherently damages to the fur.

Stil, it always puts me in a good mood and makes me think of Empire, and glory and class and things. It really is beautifully made and I intend to replace the lining and then save it for occassional use.

It also reminds me that one doesn't see enough turn-back cuffs on things these days - though Thom Sweeney were tailoring a suit with turn-backs last time I went in there to pick up an order. I think there is a photo of Ian Fleming wearing one floating around somewhere.