Summery Love! 1840's Sheer Dress

From the Seller:

Sehr schönes und in seiner Schlichtheit fast schon elegantes Sommerkleid aus der Biedermeierzeit, ca. 1845. Hergestellt aus weißem Leinen. Geraffte Schneppentaille. Rückwärtiger Verschluss mit Knöpfen und mit Haken und Ösen. Der glockenförmige Rock ist mit drei Reihen von Volants verziert. Halblange Ärmel, die mit feinster Spitze verziert sind. Sehr guter bis exzellenter Erhaltungszustand. Kaum wahrnehmbare, sehr dezente Verfärbungen an wenigen Stellen im Stoff. Ein Haken fehlt. Die Dekoration ist nicht inbegriffen.
Bust: ~ 78 cm
Waist: ~ 56 cm
Length: ~ 130 cm

From Me:

The bad google translation:

Very beautiful and in its simplicity almost elegant summer dress from the Biedermeier period, c. 1845. Made of white linen. Ruffled snap waist. Back closure with buttons and hooks and eyelets. The bell-shaped skirt is decorated with three rows of flounces. Half-bodied sleeves embellished with the finest lace. Very good to excellent condition. Barely perceptible, very subtle discolorations in a few places in the fabric. A hook is missing. The decoration is not included.
Bust: ~ 78 cm
Waist: ~ 56 cm
Length: ~ 130 cm

The bust is 30" and the waist is 20", which makes a lot of sense with what we are seeing. The waist has clearly been elongated with the addition at the waistline - easily covered by a belt. The growth pleats - although starting to be more of a fashion statement rather than actual pleats to be let out by the 1840s- are another indication that this is a young lady's dress and not one for a grown woman.

The shorter sleeves and the pleated front were very fashionable in the mid 1840's. It vaguely reminds me of this wedding gown in the MET's collection given the short sleeves and pleated front.

STUNNING! White and Silver Edwardian Gown

From the seller:

Dreiteiliges Abend- oder Ballkleid, ca. 1903. Pariser Label: „Rue des Mathurines, Aline Buzenet, Paris“. Das aufwendig gearbeitet Oberteil ist typisch für ein Ball- oder Abendkleid: halbrunder, offener Halsausschnitt. Bestickt mit Glasstiften, verziert mit Tüll, Strass-Steinen und Spitze. Breiter Taillengürtel, der vorne und hinten mit Applikationen verziert ist. Neben dem Abendoberteil gibt es einen Einsatz, der den freien Halsausschnitt verdeckt. Er wurde tagsüber, unter dem aufwendig verarbeiteten Oberteil getragen. Der Rock ist – im Vergleich zum Oberteil – schlicht gehalten. Er ist aus weißer Seide gefertigt. Über diese ist ein Hauch von Seidentüll – wie ein Überrock – gezogen. Der Rock läuft in einer Schleppe aus. Sehr guter bis exzellenter Erhaltungszustand. Der Einsatz hat ein einer Stelle ein paar Löcher und winzige Flecken. Die Applikationen auf der Rückseite des Taillengürtels weisen leichten Stickerei-Schwund auf. Die Dekoration ist nicht inbegriffen.

Bust: ~ 34"
Waist: ~ 24"
Front Length: ~ 58"
Back Length: ~ 80"

From Me:

Since I don't know German, here's the Google translate version:

Three-piece evening or ball gown, ca. 1903. Paris label: "Rue des Mathurines, Aline Buzenet, Paris". The elaborately worked top is typical of a ball or evening dress: half-bared, open neckline. Embroidered with glasstifte, decorated with tulle, rhinestones and lace. Wide waist belt decorated with appliqués at front and back. In addition to the evening, there is an insert that covers the free neckline. It was worn during the day, under the elaborately worked top. The skirt is kept simple compared to the top. It is made of white silk. A touch of silk wreath - like an overcoat - is drawn over these. The skirt runs in a train. Very good to excellent condition. The insert has a one spot a few holes and tiny spots. The appliqués on the back of the waist belt have slight embroidery shrinkage. The decoration is not included

This looks like it was a presentation gown of some sort. It is absolutely fabulous.  Although the fashion plate below is a couple of years later, I do think this dress is probably more 1903 ish.   I just wanted to show a similar skirt style.   

1906 Fashion Plate

Beautiful Bustle Era Dolman Mantle!

From the seller:

Victorian red velvet Dolman mantle, ca. 1880. Beautiful red colour. Gorgeous. English Label inside: „John Moses & Co. * 61 Grainger Street * Newcastle on Tyne“. Taffeta trim on the hemline, collar and sleeves. Front closure with hooks and eyes. Excellent condition. The decoration is not included.
Front Length: ~ 36"
Back Length: ~ 24"
Bust: ~ 33"

From Me:

The above pattern is from Der Bazar 1886 and is considered a mantlette! The extant red velvet one is from about the same year.

OT: Public Announcment

I would like to invite anyone who will happen to be anywhere near Maryland in the middle of March to the Francaise Dinner. This is an annual event of feasting, friends, and fabulous finery. There is a lot more information on the link above or through the banner image posted. Please, feel free to contact me for any additional information.

I want to also apologize for not being able to post as much as I would like. Graduate school (I'm going for my Masters in Digital Forensics) is eating up far more time than I would like. Hopefully, I will have more time to post in the next few days.

1920's Silver Coat with White Fur Collar

From the seller:

Extraordinary 1920s cocoon opera or evening coat with wide fur (white fox?) lapels to the collar. Pagoda sleeves trimmed at cuffs with fur. Gorgeous silver lamé. No closures. Classic flapper shape and silhouette. Collar can be worn popped if desired! Lined in blue-grey velvet.  Long shawl with claps for decoration and closure. Very good, wearable condition. Only a few little holes, one on the backside of the coat, one on one sleeve und a few on the shawl. The fur looks a little bit dusty. You’ll barely notice! A beautiful historic piece. The decoration is not included.
Shoulders: ~ 16"
Length: ~ 41"

From Me:

I found a whole bunch more photos of the coat off of Antique Gown that are way better.

It's clearly the same room so I'm not sure why the seller put up the not so great photos on ebay. Very much a lovely 1920's coat. How's you like to wear something like that out this winter?