1770's Men's Outfit Pinstripes!

From the seller:

Rarely Found Offered On The Open Market

Acquired From A Private Collection Deaccession

Original Unaltered Condition

Three Piece Construction, Sewn All By Hand

Fashioned of a Brown Striped Silk

The Breeches With Fall Front, Lined In Flannel Inside

Waistcoat Buttons Closed With Covered Thread Buttons, Flares In Points At The Outer Hips, Would Lace Closed Up The Rear, The Cord Not Original

The Court Coat Falls Long, Covered Buttons Trim Front As Well As The Turned Up Cuffs

The Breeches Have Missing Buttons, The Metal Buttons Seen Are A Replacement. The Inner Jacket Was Relined In The Early 19th C, Linen Label In The Lining. There Is A Large Water Stain On The Inner Lining Only, Not Seen From The Outside. Minor Edge Fray At Breeches Waist With Several Small Brown Stains. Shirt Not Included.

It Is So Rare To Find These Early Suits Complete And In Such Pristine Condition As This. Could Be Worn If So Desired, Not Recommended.

Measurements In Inches

Court Coat:
Chest: 36
Waist: 34
Center Rear Length: 44
Shoulders: 15
Sleeve Length: 24

Waist Coat:
Chest: 40
Length In Front: 31

Breeches:
Waist: 34
Inseam: 14
Outseam: 27




From Me:

I was originally hesitant to post this one until I read the description - I knew the metal buttons weren't right at all. There were other alterations that made me think this was more likely a really amazing Victorian Fancy Dress type outfit but the seller's explanation makes perfect sense. So, yes, it really is 1770's.

A similar one up for sale at Christies
A decade earlier but stripes!
A little over a decade later but still stripes!

Men's 18th century Waistcoat

From the seller:

Vintage Antique 1700s VEST Waistcoat 36 EMBROIDERED METALLIC Silk Satin

ornate embroidery at front with some metallic stitching
fabric has metallic horizontal threads
buttons are embroidered with sequins
2 pockets, fully cotton lined
flannel back with 3 vents

Chest 36" (38 of fabric); Back length 26"

From Me:

Most likely 1770's based on the cut. I love the embroidery!

Gorgeous! Blue Damask 18th Century Shoe!

From the seller:

Antique 18th Century 1740 Single Blue Damask Velvet Shoe Heel
VERY RARE 18TH CENTURY SHOE FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION

THE MATCH, LOST IN TIME THIS IS NOW ALL THATS LEFT, A LONESOME BUT STUNNING RELIC OF TIMES PAST




THE SHOES ARE IN GERERALLY GOOD CONDITION FOR COLLECTION / STUDY
THEY HAVE THE OCCASIONAL RUN/SNAG/ RIP TO THE FABRIC INCLUDING ON THE TOE, HEEL

THE STRAPS SHOULD BE HELD IN PLACE WITH A BUCKLE
LINNED IN LINEN
LEATHER SOLES



QUITE STUNNING AND WOULD MAKE A GREAT DISPLAY FOR ANY SHOE COLLECTOR


From Me:

This is so awesome! A part of me is eye twitching over the use of a fabric pin through the shoe but look at it! Straight lasts were used in the 18th century for economic reasons - it's easier to make two shoes from one last rather than from one right and one left last. Look at the stitching!

The seller thinks these are 1740's (based on the title of the auction) but I think these are much later - more 1760's/1770's. The reason is that the 1740's shoes tend to be pointed at the front (or have some sort of "upturn" at the toe)- these are rounded and flat. The general shape of the toes follows other 1760's/1770's shoes that I've listed below:

• 1760's at Lacma
• 1760's/1770's at the Met
• 1770's on Meg Andrews' site
• 1760's/1770's at the Met in ice blue silk

Robe a l'anglaise with woven floral silk

From the seller:

An exquisite embroidered silk gown dating to about 1775. It is of the style known as a Robe a la Polonaise and is scattered with hand embroidered flowers. The beautiful colour of the silk is difficult to describe. It is a mixture of pale blue, eau de nil and very pale grey - almosted a muted duck egg blue. Superb!
The bodice is fitted with front closure and the skirt, which has a vast amount of silk fabric, flows out at the back in a short train. This is to accomodate the "Polonaise", when the skirt could be lifted by attaching fine cords to the inside of the skirt through small loops (loops still present). The cords are missing, but these could be replaced. The skirt would, of course have had a matching or contrasting petticoat. The one I have shown is not ideal, but it is just to give an idea of how the skirt hangs, and the front opening. The lovely wide band of toning silk which is on the inside of the hem would have shown when the skirt was "kilted" up. However, the dress could of course be left "as is" without creating a Polonaise.
The bodice and sleeves of the gown are lined in fine linen, and there are pocket slits either side of the skirt. The bodice would have had ties but these are no longer present. The floral embroidery was probably worked after the gown had been cut out, but before assembly. Interestingly, one of the flowers on the side was overlooked so one only sees the floral transfer marking - a 240 year old human error! One wonders why this was never noticed. It is not a detraction, but a rather sweet human touch.
This superb gown is in excellent condition.The enchanting silk is strong, rich and crisp. I can't get over the wonderful shade of colouring!

There is a small and slight round pale outline mark at the waist - perhaps a piece of fob jewellery or similar was worn by the lady. There are no under-arm marks or shattering, so often present on early gowns, and I can find no damage to the silk at all.
This is a wonderful gown, and just needs a petticoat in a suitable contrasting shade to complete the outfit.

Approximate measurements: 33" bust. 23" waist.


From Me:

Well, this isn't a polonaise - the style is all wrong for that.

1784 Fashion Plate

In the fashion plate above, the anglaise has a bit of a train to it - I suspect this extant dress was very similar in style when worn. I also think it's slightly later than the 1775 date. However, the shorter sleeves do keep it in the 1770's - maybe 1778 as that's when you start to see trains on Robe a l'anglaise and not just on the Francaise.

18th Century Baby Stays

From the seller:

An extremely rare child’s 18th century linen corset. The corset is all hand stitched. The fabric has a dark blue and two tone tan stripe pattern. The back has hand stitched eyeholes for lacing. The inside is lined with a layer of heavy linen The corset is in good condition. There is a thumb size age spot and a few other smaller light colored areas of age discoloration. There is some missing fabric on the waist point and along the top of the corset. A very rare textile to add to an 18th century collection. Bust 18 Waist 15 Front length to point 7 Side length 5 Back length 7 ½.

From Me:


It's freaks me out to no end that the seller used sewing pins to hold the stays to the dress dummy. We do not add pin sized holes to 200+ year old garments on purpose like that. Just...no.

There is another very similar pair at the Memorial Hall Museum. Another pair of baby stays and there are several at Colonial Williamsburg. Just do a search for stays and all sorts of kids' stays will pop up.

Silk 18th Century Stays With Pink Binding

From the seller:

Circa 18THC, a cream silk brocade corset or stays with polychrome florals and ties .
In mainly strong condition, there is wear and splitting, but overall good and strong.
All items we list need to be cleaned.

From Me:

The Pragmatic Costumer already did an excellent write up on these stays with her own interpretation of why there are stays inside the stays. My interpretation is slightly different - based on the fact that not only was it widened but lengthened as well.  (Particularly in the front.  If you look right under the old front of the stays, the tabs suddenly get longer although the cut up of about an inch or so doesn't change).

My interpretation is this: I know I'm not the only one who sees all those hand sewn channels and their fingers hurt. Just like us today, our ancestors did take shortcuts. The simplest of which is to get some second hand stays (second hand items were a BIG business) and lengthen them, widen them, recover them, and you have a new set of stays.

What I find most interesting is the lack of boning channels in the front.  There are the ones near the opening of the recovered stays and that's it until you get to the older stays.  The tabs were added all the way around and not just at the sides/back.  The squared off tabs, rather than rounded, do seem to fit a 1770's date.

Based on what I was able to find out, the original MET acquisition number was C.I.41.124.59.