Frick's Theory Of Second-Hand Trading System

In this chapter, Frick explored the relevance of cultural, and economic role in second¬-hand consumption, specifically during Renaissance period in Florence, Italy. She argued that the practice of second-hand consumption was primarily meant for lower class society. ¬¬
“As newly finished cloth in general was an expensive commodity produced for the rich, … the shops and inventories of the dealers in second hand clothing is filled an essential function for the rest of the urban populace, that of providing them with garments and personal/ household linens at a cost they could afford” (Frick 13).

Although later in the chapter, she claims that people who came from different social classes also consumed second-hand clothes. Based on Elizabeth Sanderson’s theory about the alternative currency model, Frick evaluates the practice of ‘Rigattieri’ or second-hand retailers, whose role was significant in the garment industry during the renaissance period. Frick proposes two groups of Rigattieri. Those were

Moreover, the author evaluates a study done by Patricia Allerston, which evaluates the guild of second-hand retailers and its trading system. Frick’s illustration of silk as durable material is a research done by Davidsohn, whereby he evaluates the history of the silk guild in Florence. Despite of its appropriate information for the topic, the author does not elaborate how Rigattieri practices affect the current second-hand practices. Furthermore, Frick does not explore whether things such as guild and merchant court are still exist in 21th century.
Frick has similar arguments with Alexandra Palmer in viewing second-hand consumption. In this case, both of the authors evaluate the value of old clothes and its potential to become commodities. However, Palmer’s primary research is mainly about consumption of old clothes or known as ‘vintage’ fashion in the 21th