Thursday, February 28, 2013

1880's Black Bodice and Skirt with Lace








From the seller:

A stunning 1880’s black silk and beaded evening reception bustle dress. The bodice is trimmed with silver bugle beading around the neckline, sleeve cuffs, hemline and back center peplum. The neckline and sleeves cuffs are trimmed with white and black layered lace. The bodice is lined with white cotton and has a front buttons closure. The bustle skirt is trimmed with black lace on the lower front and on the back bustle area. The skirt has a built in bustle cage. The skirt has a long back sweep. The dress is in very good condition. There is a 1 inch split under one arm, a ½ split on the front bodice that exposes the white lining. There are a few scattered breaks in the black lace trim. A grand display dress. Bust 32 Waist 24 Front skirt length 40 Back length 70.

From Me:

What the seller said.

American Civil War Era Wedding Gown





From the seller:
A sweeping original circa 1862 ivory silk faille two piece gown with a 1970 museum accession numbered tag that states this was an 1862 wedding gown but without the bride's name. This lovely ensemble has a boned and stayed bodice with fashionable deep hem points, and piped at the neckline, armscyes and waistband. A pleated tulle bertha accented with silk velvet ribbons that repeat on the short sleeves, with a pleated tulle modesty insert above, and a lace up closure at the back. The sweeping skirt has a crinoline lining, with a beautiful double box pleated waistband, a back hook and eye closure, and a turned hem. Shown over a hoop skirt that is not included. A 30" bust, 24" waist, and 50" from top to hem. In sound as found condition, properly stored, with very light perspiration, most to the armscyes, a split along the seam of one armscye, some tiny age flaws to the tulle, an adjustment to the side seams that was done when the gown was made, minor wear to the waistband, a few scattered organic spots, some small age flaws, and splits at the crease of the skirt's hem from normal use in the period as Wedding gowns were often reused for other special occassions. All is reflected in the reserve price for this original Civil War era gown.

From Me:

Too bad we don't have the bride's name anymore. I'm sure the original museum paperwork had it.

Mid Teens Era Dress







From the seller:

A magical original circa 1915 lady's ivory silk one piece evening gown with whimsical embroidered butterflies. All French construction, with a French tulle bodice and a stunning attached capelet with chemical lace accents and a fashionable wired stand up collar, a cascading train, a stylish cinched waist draped overskirt, with a triple tiered tulle and matching lace underskirt, and a silk satin lining to the skirt. Draped Austrian crystal and sequined accents and a blind front hook and eye closure. Shown with one crystal necklace and foundation that are not included. No inner labels. 15" from shoulder to shoulder, a 32" bust, 25" waist, and 54" from shoulder to front hem. In clean as found condition, with holes to the tulle sleeves, some splits to the tulle in the drapes that are not obvious, and some minor lace flaws. Holes and splits in the tulle layers of the skirt, most at the seat, are hidden beneath the overskirt, and some flaws to the lace at the hem. Some age color to the tulle, some very light hardly noticeable moisture lines to the front of the overskirt, and some light organic spots, most to one hip. Some dusty soiling to the undertrain, and two holes in the tulle tier near the front tassel. All is reflected in the reserve price for this opulent Edwardian era creation.

From Me:

I can't decide if I love this or hate this - either way, it is a striking gown.

1880's Outfit









From the seller:

UP FOR AUCTION IS A BEAUTIFUL VICTORIAN CORSET BODICE AND SKIRT (DRESS).

I RECENTLY PICKED THIS UP AT A ANTIQUE AUCTION. I DO NOT KNOW THAT EXACT AGE OF THIS DRESS HOWEVER IT WAS SOLD AS AN ANTIQUE AT THE AUCTION.

I TRIED TO TAKE AS MANY PICTURES AS I COULD TO SHOW THE CONDITION OF THE DRESS BUT THERE ARE A FEW FLAWS THAT ARE NOT PICTURED.

I WILL TRY AND EXPLAIN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK, I WILL GET BACK TO YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I BELIEVE THIS DRESS IS MADE OF SATIN.

THE BODICE IS A CORSET STYLE WITH 14 BUTTONS UP THE FRONT. THE BONEING IN THE CORSET IS IN GREAT CONDITION (SEE PICTURE 2). THE BODICE IS LINED WITH A BEAUTIFUL BLUE LINING THAT IS IN GOOD CONDTION. THE TOP MEASURES APPROX. 26" AROUND THE WAIST AND 36" AROUND THE BUST. THERE IS FRAYING OR SHREDDING ON THE SHOULDER (SEE PICTUREC 4). IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE DID SOME REPAIRS ON THE SHOULDER PUFFS (SEE PICTURE 5). THERE IS ALSO SOME WEAR ON THE BACK OF THE ARMS (NOT PICTURED AND NOT VERY NOTICABLE).

THE SKIRT HAS A 25" WAIST AND MEASURE 43" FROM THE WAIST TO THE HEM LINE IN FRONT AND 52" FROM THE WAIST TO THE HEM LINE IN THE BACK. SKIRT IS FULLY LINED. THERE ARE TWO PRETTY RUFFELY PLEATS IN THE FRONT AND TWO IN THE BACK (SEE PICTURE 9). SKIRT HAS A 10" SLASH IN THE FRONT ON THE BOTTOM (SEE PICTURE 10) AND A 2 INCH SLASH IN THE BACK ON HEM. LOOKS LIKE SOME REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE TO WAIST AND BACK SEAM (SEE PICTURE 11).

PLEASE REMEMBER THIS DRESS IS IN USED ANTIQUE CONDITION, PLEASE DONT EXPECT PERFECTION. IN SPITE OF THAT IT IS TRUELY A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF HISTORY!

I WILL SHIP WITHIN ONE WORKING DAY.

RETURNS WITHIN 15 DAYS, BUYER PAYS RETURN SHIPPING.

THANK YOU FOR LOOKING, HAVE A GREAT DAY!



From Me:

The bodice is not a "corset style". The bodice is a bodice. It is in the style of bodices from the late 1880's.

Really, the cool thing about the outfit is that fabulous blue lining. I almost think this is a half morning outfit and the lady just was sick of being in mourning.

Two Teen Era Dresses
















From the seller:

This auction is for a lot of two 1900's Edwardian era fancy dresses for fashion history or repurpose parts....they cannot be worn due to much deterioration. One has a " Simon Quality Dresses " label sewn inside. Great if you need trim for an antique dress or to make doll clothing out of vintage fabric. Yards of lovely silk fringe , passementerie trim, silk chiffon...certainly worth my low starting bid. Remember....parts only!



From me:

I can see where someone might want to salvage the fringe from the pink one but blush one looks like it is still is decent condition. I don't get this "desire" to cut up old objects.

BTW, not 1900's but 1910's.

18th Century Ottoman Robe






From the seller:

Early Gold Threaded Purple Patterned Hand Stitched Robe.
Fabric has wear.
Inside has staining.
Overall average condition.


Total Length Aprox. 51"
Arm Length Aprox. 32"
Arm Pit to Arm Pit Aprox. 40"
Shoulder to Shoulder Aprox. 34"
Waist Aprox. 34"




Please feel free to ask me any questions


From Me:

The damask silk looks like several from the 18th C but I wouldn't be surprised if the silk is earlier. The style of the robe is commonly seen in the 18th C - even in Europe.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Red Turn of the Century Dress








From the seller:

D441,1890's Burgundy & Ivory Print Bustle Gown: This dress is from the 1890's. This period is the last of the bustle period. I believe that someone has altered the skirt and taken out part of the back fabric. I think that it was fuller at one time. There is also a very old metal zipper sewn in at the waist band of the skirt. See photo. The bodice is lined, and the skirt is unlined. The bodice has two taffeta patches that are 3 x 3 inches and 3 x 4 inches long. They are located under the arms. The skirt is missing its button at the waist band. There is a 3.5 inch fade spot on the lower hem of the dress. It does have some of the old trunk smell so typical of clothing that has been stored for a hundred years. The bust of the bodice is 29, the waist is 22 and the shoulders are 11.5. The waist of the skirt is 24, the length of the skirt is 35 and it is 129 inches around the hem of the skirt. If you are tiny enough this garment could be worn with care. The bidding will start at $0.99 with no reserve.



From Me:

Yeah, I know. I'm thinking it too. At least the dress is pretty -even if she just *had* to put a freaking hoop and bustle under a dress that had neither back in the day. And yes, the zipper was added much later - probably for Halloween.

1890's Purple Outfit with Awesome Collar






From the seller:

This amazing antique Victorian era Hirsch & Co Brussels beaded brown wool embroidered bustle gown dates from the late 1880s. It is made of a dark chocolate brown wool and silk satin fabric, with steel cut beading and brown silk raised padded satin stitch embroidery work done in a floral vine leaf design pattern. This gorgeous gown 3 piece travel visiting dress has a fitted bodice jacket, with vest style insert which has a high neck collar, wide silk lapel, gathered shoulders, long tapered sleeves which come to a point at the cuff, a peplum skirted waist and hook closure front. The bodice measures 21 inches long, with a 24 inch waist, 34 inch bust and 11 1/2 inch back and 21 inch long sleeves. There is a long floor length full skirt, with slight bustle back and hook closure. The skirt measures 41 inches long, with 38 inch hips and a 24 inch waist. There is also a matching fabric embroidered beaded apron skirt panel. The overskirt measures 13 1/2 inches long, with a 24 inch waist. All three pieces are quality made, fully lined and the bodice has a "Hirsch et Cie Brussels" luxury department store haute couture label sewn inside which was dressmaker to the Queen. It is in good condition, with only a tiny moth nip hole on the front bodice and a few loose missing beads. This is truly a rare and wonderful piece of antique Victoriana wearable art!


From Me:

You can see a similar sleeve style and even the way the "skirt" of the jacket lays in this fashion plate from 1891.