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The Victorians and Edwardians



 
1880s Victorian Wine Velvet Bonnet with Chenille & Beaded Wings

This lovely wine silk velvet bonnet from the 1880s is  a lovely deep claret color. It’s a small bonnet with a self velvet bow and short velvet ties. Over the bow are wired wings. These  are spotted cream and black chenille with beaded jet tips. They are a bit asymmetrical. We are happy to offer this trim, neat bonnet of the later Victorian bustle period. 

Label:  Mrs. A. E. Porter 328 4th St Louisville, KY

Size:  8“ X 8“ overall

Condition: Exterior is Excellent with just a tiny bit of nap loss along the edge of the bow loops.  The wings are of the period, but may not be original. Hats were often re-trimmed. The original lining is in place but has many losses and is splitting. The maker’s name can just be made out.

Price: $155
 





 
Huge Edwardian Wide Brim Hat in Two Tone Straw with Ostrich Plumes

This huge wide brim hat is typical of the large, large hats of the Teens. The crown is large and shallow to accommodate  the massive pompadour hair styles/ It’s almost tea table size! The hat is straw in a beige and black combination with a ring of small black ostrich feathers around the crown. You really can’t find a better  example of the classic ‘Titanic’ era summer hat.
 
Label:  none

Size:  Crown: approx. 22” - 23”,  Brim: 21” X  20”

Condition: Straw is excellent. Lining has age spots and pin holes. The feathers are molting a bit.
 
Price: $265




 
Pre Civil War Vibrant Victorian 1850s Blue Striped Silk Dress

This blue is so vibrant and rich and true proof those Victorians liked intense color. This c. 1855 2 piece gown is in a striped silk with red and white narrow stripes and horizontal fields of red and green dots. It’s a really fine fabric and completely hand sewn. The trim is blue silk fringe. The bodice is backed in polished tan cotton and the sleeves and skirt in a polished blue. The front closes with hooks as do the wrists and skirt. These hooks may not be original, but they came with and they all match. The skirt is gathered onto a wide matching waist band and the hem is finished in a tan hem braid. The fitted bodice has 4 bust darts, a waist dart to define the front and side back princess seams. The peplum hem is finished in points at the sides and back. We show it with a later lace collar for effect and a period hoop. A really lovely gown from the period and one in sturdy condition. This comes from a Tennessee estate.

Size: Bodice: Bust: 34”,Waist:25”,CB Neck to Waist: 13 1/2”,Shoulders: approx 15”, Sleeves: approx 25”. Skirt:Waist: 28”,Waist to hem: 40”,Sweep: 114”.

Condition: No stains, no holes, very few signs of wear. The skirt is near Mint. The bodice has been altered, first taken in with brown hand sewing, them let out with  aqua blue machine sewing and panels added at the sleeve and side front.  The alterations have been removed. The bodice darts, center front and side seams have been hand sewn to their original lines. The side back seams show some needle holes as does the peplum in the front where a machine alteration had been done. Unfortunately, the front of the bodice at the side seam was trimmed away when the panel was added. We have set on a matching piece to return the front to its original size and shape. Please see the close-up.

Price: $355 
 
c.1884 Victorian White Cotton Bustle Morning Dress or Wrapper

An 1880s white cotton wrapper from the estate of Clara Myers McCulloch (1859 - 1951) of Lancaster Co, PA. She married in 1884 and I believe this large lot of clothing was her wedding trousseau - most of it has the Agnew & English of Philadelphia label. This was a fine old firm on Chestnut Street.This morning dress or wrapper is white cotton with extensive lace trim at the front and hem. The front is quite loose for comfort, while the Watteau back hides a fitted waist. The back flows into a very full trained skirt that is shaped for a bustle at the side back seams. The wrapper has long shaped sleeves with lace ruffles and a small stand collar. A lovely example of high Victorian morning wear with provenance.

Label:none

Size: Bust: 36”, Waist: 32”, Shoulders: 15”, Sleeves: 22”, CF Neck to Hem: 55”, CB Neck to Hem: 67”.

Condition: Good and sturdy, presentable. There are 4 repairs to the lace at the hem. One 1/2" ‘L’ shaped tear on the left under sleeve, scattered pin holes and a groups in small breaks as shown. The largest flaw is a ‘L’ shape tear on the right side of the skirt. This has been backed with cotton and hand sewn. Please see photo.

SOLD!

Order # B7

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Elegant c. 1906 Black Silk & Lace  Bodice
B7
This elegant black figured sheer silk bodice has a smocked and corded yoke with a lovely wide lace bertha. The very high collar with lace overlay reeks of  good breeding and is edged with a double row of pearls. The bodice has the blouson style of the Early Edwardian era, with  a puff sleeve , fitted lower arm and a small peplum to tuck into a skirt. The interior is black silk. The bodice closes at the center back with hooks.  

Label:  none
 
Size: Bodice: Bust: 34”, Waist: 22”, Shoulders: 15”, Sleeves: 22”. CB Neck to Waist: 15”.

Condition: Excellent but for losses to the lace netting at the collar as shown. Armpits are clean, no holes.  

Price: $145 Sale Price: $115
 
 

Order #D1954


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c. 1884 Gold Silk and Celadon Green Plush Victorian Bustle Dinner Dress

An 1880s dinner dress from the estate of Clara Myers McCulloch (1859 - 1951) of Lancaster Co, PA. She married in 1884 and I believe this large lot of clothing was her wedding trousseau - most of it has the Agnew & English of Philadelphia label. This was a fine old firm on Chestnut Street. This dinner dress is a gold silk with a celadon green plush underskirt and cuffs. The long line bodice laces front and back although the back is decorative only. There is a bit of pearl trim at the front neckline - I suspect there was a lace collar above this. The skirt has swags, puffs and drapes of the gold silk over the plush underskirt. A matching green silk satin is used for the swag and pleated frills.  All of this is mounted on a cotton base.
 
Label:  Half of petersham band: Agnew and English Philadelphia

Size:  Bodice: Bust: 32”, Waist: 23”, Shoulders: 13”, Sleeves: approx. 12”, CB Neck to Waist: 14”, Skirt: Waist: 23 1/2",  Waist to Hem: 38”.

Condition: Good and sturdy, presentable. There is a large moisture stain and ring on the left side of the skirt  - this shows quite well in the photos. And there are two large light spots on the bodice - also visible in the photos. The back lacing  cord is original, the front cord is missing and we have used a bit  of modern rattail. As mentioned, we believe there would have been a piece of lace or lace collar at the neckline. Half of the interior petersham band is missing.  

 Price: $410 Sale Price: $340
 

Order #D1957


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c. 1884 Victorian Wine Wool  and Cut Velvet Bustle Dress

An 1880s visiting dress from the estate of Clara Myers McCulloch (1859 - 1951) of Lancaster Co, PA. She married in 1884 and I believe this large lot of clothing was her wedding trousseau - most of it has the Agnew & English label. This day or visiting dress is a wonderful combination of texture in wine wool and  a very deep wine cut velvet. The velvet is used to edge the over-skirts, as appliques on the swags and cuffs, and a chenille fringe is used to edge both a bodice swag and a skirt panel. The bodice has the long clean lines of the period, with all the draping and volume in the skirt. The bodice has a long asymmetric peplum, side swag and back drape. The skirt has a velvet front and woolen back drapes with silk taffeta pleated frills. There are  2 wonderful netted bobble tassels at the back.
 
Label:  none

Size: Bodice: Bust: 32”, Waist: 22”, Shoulders: 13”, Sleeves: 19”. CB Neck to Waist: 14”, Skirt: Waist: 22”,  Waist to Hem: 38”

Condition: Very Good and sturdy. There is a mended hole at the bust as shown. The buttons are all there but have been re-sewn. There does seem to be a missing section of pleating on the back skirt under the drapes - some of the cotton underskirt shows here and that would not have been the case. There are small moth hole repairs in the bodice and light spots as shown with light areas of wear at underarms.  The fringe has some losses. Most of the interior bones have been removed. All in all , a very presentable gown of the period.
 
Price: $595 Sale Price:$475
 

Order #D1962
 

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Bold c. 1889- 1890 Victorian Blue And Rust Striped Silk Dress LG SZ
Here we show a colorfully striped silk dress from a Tennessee estate. The colors are grand - a true blue and a vibrant rust in a figured striped silk. This is a late 1880s - early 1890s silk dress with velvet plastron and collar. The unboned bodice has a cotton interior with wrap front and rust braid to trim. The sleeves are  slightly puffed and cut on the bias. The skirt is in 2 layers, with silk cut straight with a pleated back over a cotton base that is edge at the hem with the silk and has a rust hem braid. The bodice hooks under the silk and velvet. it is not common to find a dress in this size and wonderful color range from the period.
Label:  none
 
Size: Bodice: Bust: 36”, Waist: 28”, Shoulders: 13 1/2”, Sleeves: 20”. CB Neck to Waist: 14”. Skirt: Waist: 28”,  Waist to Hem: 38”.

Condition: Excellent but for a alteration to the under bodice. Fabric is fresh, crisp and clean. No stains or holes. Armpits have light wear. The under bodice  has had a section cut out at the center front. This matches a hand sewn seam in the velvet plastron, so I suspect a neckline alteration was contemplated at one time and then regretted. When the bodice is closed, all is well as you can see.  

Price: $425 Sale Price:$340


Order #L270

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Feminine c. 1909 Edwardian Corset with Green Ribbons

This is a delightful Edwardian era corset in cream drill with pale green ribbons applied with a twisted faggotting stitch in green silk  thread. This is another piece from that Tennessee estate that brought us 4 wonderful dresses. This Weingarten Bros. corset has a flatter front and longer line and a busk front/laced back combination. Lei of www.corsetsandcrinolines tells me this is a transitional corset from the shorter ‘S’ bend to the longer lines of the 1910s. The style is a  transitional one from 1904 - 1909.  But why do we date it to 1909?  Inside is stamped: “World’s Fair Special". We believe that would be the 1909 Seattle World’s Fair.
 
Label:  WB Erect Form Corset World’s Fair Special Style D
 
Size:  laced a small as possible, so can be laced up to 3” - 4” larger. Bust: 27”, Waist: 20 1/2", Hips: 31”,  Front Length over bust to hem: 12”. 

Condition: Excellent but for light allover spotting as shown and light wear to ribbon.  The corset lace is not original but is a period NOS one we have saved for just such an occasion.

Price: $375 Sale Price:$270


Order #D1960

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c. 1895 Brown Silk Faille Day Dress with Lace Jabot and Leg-O'Mutton Sleeves

This is elegant. It truly is. I am a huge fan of leg-o'mutton sleeves. I have no idea why. And this dress has them in spades. The fabric is a brown silk faille with beaded trim and lace jabot. The bodice is styled with a crossover drape, high ruched collar with ruffles, aforesaid huge sleeves, and beaded trimmings and rosettes at the waist closure and CB pointed waist. At this point, a bow with long tails is found. The skirt is stiffened throughout and pleated toward the back with a lot of flare and has internal tapes to control the fullness and a velvet hem binding. The bodice is boned. We acquired this gown from a Tennessee estate - name given on request.
Size: Bodice: Bust: 30", Waist: 23", Shoulders: 11½" Sleeves: 24", CB Neck to Waist: 15". Skirt: Waist: 22", Hips: full, Waist to Hem: 44".

Condition: Fresh, clean and crisp. Would appear unworn except for underarm discolorations. No other spots or stains or signs of wear.

Price: $525 Sale Price:$375

Order #D13

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1918 Cream Silk Satin Beaded Wedding Dress with Pearl Starbursts

A favorite dress form my personal collection. It's the pearl starbursts. This is a wedding dress from Perry County, KY c. 1918. The slip of paper had the bride's name, but wouldn't you know they left it out of the bag. I sighed a lot when I got home from Lexington. So my memory tells me 1918, Perry County,KY, deep in Eastern KY, in the Appalachians. Hazard is the County Seat. Just goes to show those ladies in the mountains knew how to dress in 1918. This cream silk satin and oyster chiffon dress has a lot going on. There's the draped asymmetric and layered skirt, the draped swag up to the bodice, the pearl encrusted buckle, a softly fitted bodice comprised of a draped satin overlay over beaded chiffon, chiffon butterfly sleeves, and a shoulder train! The train is detachable at the shoulder with snaps, yet appears to have once had swing tacks at the waist. The sleeves and neckline are bound in satin.

Label:none

Size: Bust:35", Waist: 26", Shoulders: 14", Shoulder to Waist: 15", Hips: 42", Waist to Hem: 37", Hem circumference: 52". Train: Shoulder to hem : 87".

Condition: Dress is very Good: the chiffon sleeves have losses and have been backed in their entirety, there is a soiling at the center front as shown, and there are 3 small spots on the skirt. The snaps on the net under bodice and chiffon overlay have had to be reinforced, and the silk satin at the right shoulder closure has a reinforced split. The lining to the train has splitting - the outer train does not.

Price: $450

Order #D1899

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Ca. 1905 Edwardian White Cotton Lingerie Dress

Here we have a delightful ca 1905 lingerie style summer dress in white cotton. This Edwardian era dress has full length sleeves, and a high but un-boned lace collar. It is embellished with net lace insertion, pin tucks, machine made Broderie Anglaise, eyelet and chemical lace trims. The bodice features an eyelet overlay with decorative crocheted buttons at the edges. The dress closes center back with the snaps and hooks and bars. We show this dress over a period slip ( not included) and on a period form for the shape. It is not boned or lined and as it was of course intended to be a washable dress. We do show the dress with a period but not original belt - it will be included, although the button would need to be moved to fit the waist of the dress. I will say it could use a few more snaps on the overlay and yoke closure, but does not ever seem to have had any more than this

Label: none

Size: Bust: 40", Waist: 27", Shoulders: 15", Sleeves: 23" CB Neck to Waist: 15", High Hip: 40", Waist to Hem: Front 39" Back 40", Hem circumference: 118"

Condition: Excellent -clean and solid. The back overlay seems to need a closure at the side waist but does not appear to have ever had one. We have pinned it on the form. Of course, a belt would hold this down.

Price: $145 Sale Price:$110

1850s Blue Silk Dress and Pelerine

Order # D1585

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Iridescent Blue 1850 Victorian Silk Day Dress with Pelerine

This is a stunning ca 1850 day dress in blue to red shot silk . And it's a decent size! It's a one piece dress with inset waistband, pleated skirt , and muslin bodice lining. The matching pelerine is unlined with bias trim. The dress closes at the front with hooks and a snap at the neck. This is in lovely condition. An quality early piece for the particular collector. We have shown it over 2 petticoats for volume.

Provenance as given by previous seller: Magdalena Brake or her sister Catherina of Letterkenny Twp , Franklin County, PA

Condition. Excellent. Just some picks at the CB bodice. One 1/8" pin hole in CB skirt mid way up.

Size: Bust:36", Waist:28"(This is high), Dropped Shoulder: 17",Sleeves: 21½", CB Neck to Waist:15", Waist to Hem CF: 38", CB: 40", Hem circumference: 140"

Price: $475  Sale Price: $375

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