1890's Tan Skating (?) Jacket

From the seller:

1880's Victorian Tan Wool Ice Skating Jacket SM


This 1880's jacket is made from tan wool and is fairly heavy. The buttons will hide behind the front placket and it has pretty detailing on the seams with to stitching. One flap on the bottom front side has a hole, but I think you can put a button on both and cover it up, the lining is shot, missing a couple of buttons and it has something red rubbed onto the wool in back, when I got it it was laying against a piece of red velvet, I think it's dye transfer from that. It measures 32 inches around the bust, waist is 27 inches, across the back shoulder is 9 1/2 but the leg o mutton sleeves with give a little room and it's 22 inches long.

International priority mail includes tracking & insurance. First class mail does not. Although I will ship first class international items without insurance are sent at buyer's option.

Approval for returns must be received within 3 days, as is items are not refundable. I want my customers to be happy with their purchase so please notify me if there is a problem. Thank you so much for your cooperation. I so appreciate your business.

Thank you for looking at my auctions.

Fortunate buyer shipping based on 3.12 pounds, international shipping will vary. For international purchases, there may be delays in customs or fees. If there is any problem with the item, you MUSt contact me within 3 days of receipt. As is items are non refundable. Postage is not refundable.

I travel a few days a week, so if you don't hear from me right away, I'll be sure to answer your questions when I return. Also for mailing if you pay for your item usually after 12n on Tuesday, it will be a few days before I can mail so don't worry if you don't hear right back from me, I don't usually sign on the computer when traveling.

From Me:

Could this be more "Gibson Girl"? The sleeves are clearly from the 1890's as is the overall styling. Very cute!

1876 (?) Bustle Era Fancy Dress

From the seller:

Antique Victorian two piece silk and velvet bustle gown dating from c1890. The top is fully boned, measures 17” down the front and 20” at the back, 30” bust, 24” waist and 12” sleeves plus 10” frill at the cuff. Bustle skirt measures 38” down the front and 52” at the back with a 28” waist”, is lined with Hessian and cotton. The top has some splits on the back and the net lace cuffs have some holes. The silk on the skirt is shattered in places, (see pictures).


From Me:

During the centennial of the American Revelation, it was fairly common to see dresses based on the styles 100 year prior. The gowns of the 1870's reflected, sometimes, the robe a la polonaise to the point that there is period commentary on the subject. Because of the clear colonization of this gown and the way the darts are placed along the bodice, I'm going with 1876 as the date for this piece.

Blue Translucent Cotton Edwardian Day Dress

From the seller:

Edwardian Blue Organza Ruffled Afternoon Tea Dress w- 25

This lovely Edwardian dress is made from a lavenderish / blue organza with a woven square pattern. The bodice snaps down the front, the waist hooks and the bodice hooks to the skirton the left side to the skirt placket. It has elbow length sleeves wtih a double flouced ruffle around the edge trimmed in narrow lace. It has a wide circular collar trimmed in lace. The skirt is 3 wide flounces attached to a light weight cotton lining. The bodice is sheer and needs a cami. It measures 40 inches around the bust, waist is 25, hips 39, across the back shoulder is 14 1/4 inches and waist to hem is 34 1/2 inches long. I found one 1/2 inch tear in the skirt. Excellent vintage condition.

International priority mail includes tracking & insurance. First class mail does not. Although I will ship first class international items without insurance are sent at buyer's option.

Approval for returns must be received within 3 days, as is items are not refundable. I want my customers to be happy with their purchase so please notify me if there is a problem. Thank you so much for your cooperation. I so appreciate your business.

Thank you for looking at my auctions.

From Me:

This looks absolutely beautiful.

BTW, I keep forgetting to announce a couple of changes I've made to the blog. First, for all you pinterest fans, just hover over the image and you will see a "P". Click that to add the picture to pinterest. I tested it and it works well.

I'm trying to figure out easier ways to use the blog. So far, most of the users are either from pinterest or google. I get a couple of facebook fans or tumblr fans once in a blue moon too as well as people from forums. If there is anything you would like to see formatting wise, let me know.

Lovely Fancy (?) Dress from the mid 1890's

From the seller:

This is a very rare pink silk faille ball gown from the 1830s. Provenance England.
Full puff gigot sleeves lined with muslin, low scooped neckline with bertha and pink bows on the shoulders. The bodice is fitted, with hook and eye closure up the back and two more pink bows at top closure. Full, pleated skirt. The bodice and hem of the skirt are lined with muslin. The ball gown is being sold in as-is fair condition, there are some areas of discoloration from age, several small frays and a few areas of stains on the front of the skirt. See pictures.
Measurements: 15" underarm to underarm, 13" across waist, 38" from waistband to bottom of skirt.


Please advise if you are bidding internationally; shipping charges will differ from below. I prefer payment within 3 days of auction close and ship 2 business days after receiving payment. Items come from a non-smoking home.


From Me:

Sorry, dear seller, but this is not from the 1830's. The sleeve style is very indicative of the mid 1890's (1894-1898) and the machine sewing is a dead giveaway of a later date. Although this may have been a fancy dress for the late Victorians (they were ALL over that!) and inspired by the earlier Romantic era, the dress itself has tons of tell tale 1890's signs. The hooks and eyes are styled from the late Victorian/early Edwardian period. Also, I have yet to come across a Romantic era dress with a Bertha collar like that. Still, it is a lovely piece.

Bustle Era White Bodice

From the seller:

This is a gorgeous piece of history, a must see to appreciate. I am believeing raw is silk with fringe trim.. Looks like it would be a young girls wedding piece. Very small size. Two top buttons are missing. This was found in an old trunked that was packed in 1860, Not sure hold old it was at time of packing. Not perfect but a nice pc for its age.

I will try to answer any questions you have on this. Also check out the other pieces I am listing that was also found in the same trunk. thank you



From Me:

It looks 1880's to me - the high neck, natural waistline, and bustle back.

American Civil War Era Dress

From the seller:

This incredible dress is made of rose madder changeable brocade silk . It’s a one piece gown that originally was a bodice and skirt set. The bodice has dropped shoulders and is piped along the armsyces, waist and neck. The lining is brown cotton and all the hooks and eyes are original. It looks like there were darts at one time, but they have been let out, likely to make the dress fit a slightly bigger woman. The sleeves are that incredible bell shape, so often seen during its period. The skirt is gathered to the waistband. Again, it looks like it was let out slightly for accommodate the slightly bigger lady. If you look closely at the hem, there are signs that it may have been previously bound with some type of wool tape. All the sewing on this dress was definitely done by hand. That includes the modifications.

Structurally is the silk is very good. It seems strong and supple. But you can see it has been well worn, without looking worn out. There is a barely noticeable little sun fading.

I would not suggest that this piece be worn, but that is my opinion only. A piece this age, in this good s condition could easily be displayed.

Nonetheless, the measurements are about bust 32inches, waist 28inches, length 54inches and hem circumference 120inches.



From Me:

Yes, the seller has it displayed backwards.

I'm going with very late 1850's/early 1860's on this one due to the waist shape and sleeves. I think that rather than being changed to accommodate a slightly larger lady that it was changed to accommodate the change in styles. So, it was probably originally a 1850's dress that was re cut to follow the styles at the start of the American Civil War.

Promenade Dress

From the seller:

A stunning 1890’s Belle Epoch gray silk brocade and gray light weight cashmere wool dress. The bodice is made of both the gray silk and gray wool fabric. The silk fabric has a floral and vine pattern. The bodice has a front insert made of gray velvet. The sleeve cuffs and waist are trimmed with gray velvet. The bodice has a high neck collar made of silk brocade and trimmed with lace and velvet ribbons. The bodice is also trimmed with white and gray floral silk trim. The bodice is lined with cotton. The lining has a front hook and eye closure and the outer fabric hooks to the side. The skirt is trimmed with gray velvet bands. It is lined with cotton. The dress is in very good condition. There is no underarm discoloration. There are a couple of tiny age spots on the skirt and some small scattered moth nips, mostly to the inside wool on one sleeve. Bust 34 Waist 26 Skirt length 42.

From Me:

I know. Only one picture. Sorry!

Ornate 1890's Bodice

From the seller:

A lavish 1890’s gray embroidered cashmere wool jacket. The label reads Besten & Langen, Louisville. The jacket is extensively adored with light gray and white stylized embroidery. The jacket has a front insert of Irish lace that is trimmed with blue velvet ribbon and long front tassels. The Irish lace is laid over a white chiffon base. The collar, shoulders and sleeves have inserts of Irish lace. The sleeves cuffs are made of Irish lace and trimmed with blue velvet. The jacket is also trimmed with light gray silk balls, It is lined with white silk. The jacket is in good condition. There are a few scattered moth nips, a couple of missing balls and a small section of missing trim on the inside neckline. A beautiful work of art. Bust 34 Loose fitting waist 34.

From Me:

This looks late 1890's and probably for spring.

1860's Ball Gown Bodice

From the seller:

An enchanting 1860’s Civil War era gold silk evening bodice. The bodice is decorated with bands of pleated pink silk. It has short puffed sleeves. The neck, armscyes and waist are piped. The bodice is lined with cotton and has a back lacing closure. The original lacing is missing. The bodice is in very good condition. There are no splits or holes. There is underarm discoloration mostly under one arm. Bust 34 Waist 23.



From Me:

I love the look of the pink silk against the gold.

Gray 1860's Dress

From the seller:

A stunning 1860’s gray silk and organdy dress that has been de-accessioned from a major New York City auction. The dress is one piece. The front of the skirt is trimmed with organdy and lace done in an apron style. The sleeves have a puffed top. The bodice is lined with cotton and has a front button closure. The skirt has a long back sweep and is lined with cotton. The dress is in as found condition. There is mild underarm discoloration, light soiling on the front of the bodice a three inch split on the back of the train and scattered soil marks on the edge of the hemline. There are a few small holes in the organdy fabric. Bust34 Waist 24 Front skirt length 43 Back skirt length 65 Width at hemline 140. Items



From Me:

Yeap, that seller again. I'm sorry I didn't get the earlier pictures!

What all other Wedding Gowns wish they were

From the seller:


Impressive and really quite magnificent French 3 piece ivory silk faille reception/wedding gown dating to the third quarter of the 19thc. A marvel of fine French dress making construction and hand stitching, fascinating details through out all three pieces and made in the finest materials. With labels both on the waist petersham and the interior of one of the skirt's waist band, that reads "Grands Magasins, Rue de la Paix".

"Les Grands Magasins du Louvre, initially Les Galeries du Louvre, a department store in Paris, was founded in 1855, three years after its competitor, Le Bon Marche." sold luxury goods, fine silks and gowns (from Wikipedia)

Fitted bodice with fine silk lining and stays, button front, silk cord soutash trimmings on bodice and overskirt, hand lace ruffle along shoulders, padded chest, big pagoda sleeves. Overskirt with polonaise interior ties, complicated side draping with soutash trimming and tassels, hook and eye all present. Underskirt with gathered area in the rear to accommodate the bustle, with more unknown function ties, skirt is unlined with deep interior silk facing hem that is stiffened, extravagantly long train. All three pieces in very good uncleaned antique condition, underarm's sound, no holes, scattered tiny clusters of storage foxing? see images, the silk interfacing has come loose in an area of the interior just a simple mend. Beautiful example perfect for collection. Chest 32', waist 20" on the bodice the skirt's waist measure 22" ". Underskirt length in front 41" with train 66".



From Me:

This is beyond lovely. I love everything about it. I'm leaning more towards late 1860's than 1870's but know that it's from *somewhere* in there.