Thursday, August 29, 2013

Very Late American Civil War Era Dress









From the seller:

This auction is for a rare original antique 1850s to 1860s / Civil War era lady's one piece dress. A lovely shade of very dark taupe with a pale yellow and light taupe gingham check print. The mandarin collar bodice is lined in brown buckram, there is quite a bit of detailing, small box pleated ruffles across the bodice and matching to the sleeves. Piped armyces and waistline; Closure is pretty swirl mother of pearl buttons, all matching and hidden hooks and eyes. The hem is bound with wool tape. It appears that the waist has been recently reinforced with heavier twill binding. A very full completely buckram lined skirt that will easily accommodate a typical very wide full hoop. Approx measurements are 34" bust (my form is a 36" bust), waist 25" and 53" mid shoulder to hem. In very good condition, there is period underarm guards attached so there is no organic staining; the left underarm has a very small opening between the seam and fabric. This is in excellent condition, possibly the seams have been reinforced. A superb example of the era, it will make a fabulous display and a wonderful addition to any serious collection.


From Me:

I would say this is no earlier than 1865, when the war ended. The trim placement, the skirt shape, and the waist length are consistent with the styles popular in 1865.

Green Edwardian Jumper Dress









From the seller:

Beautiful 1900's Edwardian dress! This dress is from Europe, amazing deep green color, dress feels like it's made from a early rayon or blend, pinafore style, fitted waist band that has hook-and-eye closer in the back, A-line skirt.

For it's age, this dress is in amazing shape! Has not been cleaned, dress has a light fade mark on the back {see images} and some small tears in the bottom back of the skirt, and two stains on the skirt. Apart from that, great condition! Due to the age and nature of this item it is non-returnable.


Size: Small-ish
Label: None




Bust 32-34?
Waist 27/28
Hips Free
Length 54
Shoulder



From Me:

Take off the straps on top and I swear I saw a skirt just like this the other day at the store. This would have been worn with a high necked shirtwaist/blouse.

Silk and Lace Edwardian Blouse





From the seller:

STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE SILK AND LACE BLOUSE.

COTTON FRENCH LACE IS IN MINT CONDITION.

SILK HAS A FEW ISSUES...A FEW TINY PIN HOLES AND A FEW TINY AGE STAINS.

THIS BLOUSE IS LOADED WITH PINTUCKS AND BEAUTIFUL LACE INSERTS.

ALL ORIGINAL BUTTONS AND HOOKS AND EYES ARE INTACT.

IT HAS AN IVORY AGE PATINA AND NEEDS A GOOD SOAKING, WHICH I WILL LEAVE TO THE BUYER.

BEING SOLD IN "AS FOUND" CONDITION.

IT IS A GREAT PIECE FOR TEACHING, DISPLAY, OR TO WEAR.

SO LOVELY TO ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE CLOTHING.

SHIPPING IS FREE FOR THIS BEAUTY.

THANKS FOR LOOKING AND I HOPE YOU WILL RETURN OFTEN.


From Me:

I love the trim placement on this. Very Edwardian in style - notice the loose bottom front and the fitted back? Pigeon front blouse or shirtwaist.

1890's Smart looking Outfit








From the seller:

Beautiful Victorian era blue evening gown.

100% original. In excellent condition.

Bust is 32", Waist 27". From top to bottom it is 54" long.

The top is not completely buttoned in the photo. The dress form I have is slightly too large and I did not want to force it.

A beautiful piece that can be worn or added to a collection. Absolutely beautiful!

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From Me:

Definitely NOT an evening gown (seriously?). This was probably a nice walking outfit.

Early 1870's Bustled Dress










From the seller:

550, 1860's 3 pc. Daytime Civil War Era Dress Tobacco Brown: This tobacco brown faille dress was created in the last half of the 1860's decade. It has the huge skirt with the huge bustle in the back. It is three pieces but someone has tacked the bodice and the over skirt together at the back. The over skirt has all of its original under ties. The bodice and over skirt are both in good condition. The bodice does have underarm stains. These aren't noticeable when on. The bust is 32, and the waist is 22. The over skirt has a waist of 22 and a front length of 30.5. The under skirt has a waist of 28, a skirt length of 42 and is 134 inches around the bottom. The waist band of the under skirt has been reworked and it wasn't a good job. It is now 28 inches and it should be around 23. They have taken out the pleating and not put it back correctly. See photo. For my pictures I pleated it in the front with pins so it would hang correctly. The fabric of this ensemble is in good condition. It is very sturdy. If you were tiny enoughyou could wear it once the under skirt is fixed properly. If you just want it for exhibition you can just pin it. This ensemble came from a major museum collection. The bidding will start at $0.99. Will quote reserve upon request.

From Me:

There are a few things that give this away as 1870's - although it does have some design elements of the 1860's. First, the bustled back - very 1870's. The shape of the skirt - it's narrow at the sides but goes back.  The trim placement on the skirt, also rather late 1860's/early 1870's.  This probably was remade from an earlier dress, hence the very 1860's look bodice but the skirt style is all 1870's. 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Cutest Early Pink Bustle Gown for a Little Girl





From the seller:

A very sweet original circa 1869 girl's two piece pink silk taffeta dress in a fashionable transitional bustle style, with an unlined top with a scalloped hem, a back hook & eye closure, an underskirt of the same shade of pink as the silk fringed gimp, lined in crinoline, with a two tiered scalloped edge, a box pleated front and a cartridge pleated back to the waistband, and a back hook and eye closure. 12" from shoulder to shoulder, a 29" chest, 26" waist, and 34" from shoulder to front hem. In good as found condition with a few light spots near the hem of the overskirt, only a slight color variation to one scallop, a few pin dot age flaws, and one 1/8" by 1/2" hole at the back of the waist. A very stylish Victorian era girl's special occasion dress.

From Me:

TOO CUTE!

Teens Era Yellow dress with green trim










From the seller:

Wonderful pre-WWI day dress (Downton Abbey!), there are are beautiful features, green trim and wonderful appliques. Closes at back. Lace is tearing at shoulders, due to age. Pigeon Breast style in front. Waist is 25.5", bust on mannequin is 34" but can probably go up to 36". Bid price reflects damage of garment.

From Me:

It's not a pigeon front - it's just badly displayed. Also, WWI started in 1914 - this dress is probably around 1917/1918 - towards the end of the war.

Gorgeous late Edwardian Blue Dress
















From the seller:

Silk color is what I would call an indigo blue with a hint of denim color, some pics are reading too violet or dark on my monitor.


A fantastic antique, late Victorian / early Edwardian, blue print silk dress with ecru embroidered/patterned lace at neck, back & sleeves enhanced even more with richly colored (blues family colors) 2-1/4" wide metallic trim at top front & back V and at sleeves. Neck & center sleeve trim is a braided blue & metallic narrow trim. Fantastic 3 layer length skirt with long narrow front & back panels, below knee side length and of course full length underskirt. Blue silk has a petite triangle shaped ivory print.

Cumberbund attached at waist with 2 covered buttons in back. Hook/eye & snap closures.

Lined in a cotton. No boning or severe Victorian structure, this dress must have felt liberating to wear at the time.

Long underskirt finished at inner bottom edge with a good strong twill tape & shows minor wear. Shorter skirt elements are weighted at hems so it hangs properly.

Covered buttons on cumberbund worn & the lower back / waist has been extended at some time, looks like to me, see pic. No other alterations that I see. Lace in very good condition with some minor loose spots I would guess however I didn't find any. Embroidered metallic trim BEAUTIFUL, sets off the dress in general combined with the patterned lace. Delicate lace edge at silk sleeve bottom looks handmade & in beautiful condition. A scattering of tiny holes in front skinny dress panel, see pic, really not noticeable when worn since there is an underskirt of the same fabric. A few small holes from hook placement at back, generally covered by the cumberbund. Some scattered spotting on silk, have shown most obvious in pics. Pit staining, see pics, is actually worse in pics than in hand. Some general silk fading (seen when you turn back a neck pleat) but not really bad & the color is still very pretty. No obvious spot fading (other than pits). Some hem stitching/securing needed. No obvious silk splitting, a couple of small tears in cotton top lining.

Silk is wrinkled a bit and I have not had the dress cleaned, will leave that decision to the new owner.
No size but this dress is a small to maybe small / medium size, however please use the following approximate measurements as it is not returnable due to size. It is shown on an antique small size mannequin (33", 25", 34-1/2") & fits a bit loose.


neck edge 13-1/2"

bust 35/36"


waist 24" extended to approx. 26"


shoulder to shoulder 15"


length from center front neck seam 56", skirt 40-1/2", top 15-1/2/16"


sleeve length from shoulder 15"


width of silk sleeve edge 10" around

Please ask if you need further measurements and remember some adjustments can be made.





From Me:

This dress screams 1910. The neckline, the sleeves, the trim placement - just do a search for 1910 fashion plate and you will see each of these elements.