Late 1860's Fabulous Pink Gown

From the seller:

This auction is for an original Lady's Ball Gown and Reception Ensemble from the Post-Civil War period. Its fabric is a lovely pink silk taffeta lavishly trimmed with tulle and beads. What a Princess dress! It is easy to imagine this beauty at a Court Ball! The ensemble includes the bodice, skirt, belt with ribbon sash and detachable sleeves. The sleeves are easily pinned or whip-stitched in for display. Here, I have simply pinned them to the mannequin's arm inside the short sleeves.The sleeves would have been used for formal events where dancing was not done. The dress might have had a tulle chemisette to fill in the neckline as well.

Condition is structurally good with obvious variation in the color most evident on the back of the left shoulder. This can be minimized easily when displayed by adjusting the angle of the mannequin. The tulle trim has a few holes not very noticeable and some of the tabs securing it are loose. The waistband of the skirt has been replaced.

Measurements are: The bust is 38 inches & the waist measures 26 inches. Across the back shoulders, it is 17 inches. The length of the skirt is 45 inches in front and 60 inches at the back.

From Me:

I am in love with this gown. I need to make it. The sleeves would have been used for the day to create a day bodice look (I have no idea what a formal event would be without dancing). The sleeves would then be taken off in the evening for any balls or a formal dinner.



EDIT: So, apparently, I have posted this dress before. However, the display with so horrid originally that I didn't recognize the dress at first. You can see the slightly older post here from only a few months ago! which goes to show why you need a decent display!

1880's Sample Corset

From the seller:

Extremly rare auth antique corset from the late 1800s .


Made of dark ecru cotton or linen ( very strong fabric ) and leather parts .

Extrem wasp waist .


Very well made .


GIFT ---> pink lacing .


COLOR :

Dark ecru , red and yellow ( leather parts ) .


SIZE :

No tag of size but the corset is very very small . Seems to be a XXXS actual size .


The lacing at the back can be adjusted and so the size can be larger .


MATERIALS :

Cotton or linen ( very strong fabric ) and leather parts .


CONDITION :

The corset is in good condition for its age .
The only damage are many holes on the leather parts , spots and some red threads are disconnected .


From Me:

According to the corset itself, it's from 1883 (it says so on the busk). If anyone is curious as to why it's so small, it's a sample corset that a saleswo/man would have on display. Or, it could be from a doll.

Turn of the Century Striped Dress

From the seller:

This auction is for a fantastic original lady's Reception dress from around 1890. It was purchased in New Orleans from a shop on Decatur street in the French Quarter. The shopkeeper said he'd purchased it as a de-aquisition from the Herman-Grima house also in the French Quarter. I visited this fabulous home. For those American Horror Story fans, the Herman-Grima house interiors were used in the show as the flashback interiors of Delphine Lalaurie's mansion (also in the French Quarter). This dress's style is perfect for beautiful New Orleans! The wonderful striped silk is perfectly accented by the wrought-iron-like lace interwoven with silk ribbons to match the stripes. The sleeves are transitional from the tightly fitted 1880s sleeves which started developing gathered sleeve heads around 1888 to the enormous balloon sleeves of the mid 1890s. What's left of the original petersham reads: "Cannon & Rich modiste".

Condition is fair with shattering and splits. The petersham has been replaced and the silk covering the upper part of the bodice is gone. The exquisite lace is in wonderful condition and the size is perfectly suitable for display or patterning.

Measurements : bust- 33 inches, waist- 25 inches, front length- 42 inches

From Me:

Actually, the sleeves are in the post enormous Leg O Mutton style, popular in at the Turn of the Century. The massive lace "cape" around the shoulders was popular from 1898 until 1902.

1860's Lavender Colored Dress

From the seller:

ANTIQUE FRENCH GOWN
PURPLE MOIRE SILK
BODICE, SKIRT AND BELT
PAGODA SLEEVES
IN GOOD CONDITION
SIZE M
GOOD LUCK

From Me:

Probably tail end of the American Civil War era or thereabouts. Love the color!

1930's (?) Velvet Skirt

From the seller:

Gorgeous silk antique mid 1800's velvet skirt in a lovely midnight blue with a subtle touch of dark green..... Skirt has tears, so I am selling as a pattern study or put on mannequin, or restore it. Hook and eye closure,looks all handsewn. Wonderful antique piece.

Waist 28" Length front 41" Front back 55"

From Me:

Dude...have you ever even seen Gone with the Wind? This skirt looks nothing like those 1860's skirts. Nothing!

*sigh*

I really think this was part of a dress, probably 1930's but maybe earlier. No matter what, it's 20th Century. The way the seams are done and that style of finishing for the hooks and eyes are very 20th century.

1920's Pink and Blue Dress

From the seller:

A gorgeous antique drop-waist dress from the 1920's. It is made of pink and sky blue silk chiffon. The dress is sleeveless and has a v neck-line in the front. It is very floaty and is adorned with beadwork made into roses. The neckline in the back of the dress is also decorated. It is a really beautiful dress. It would best fit a small size but does fit loosely. The dress is in excellent antique condition. Width - 14 inches Underarm to underarm - 17 1/2 inches Length - 39 1/2 inches

From Me:

My inner five year old *loves* this...I don't. It's a bit odd for the 1920's - like it was trying for Boué Soeurs and failed.

Late 1920's/Early 1930's dress with cape

From the seller:

circa 1920's
silk crepe
pale blue dress with embroidered flowers
cut on the bias
creme silk crepe bib that ties at neck
attached to dress
a few holes as seen in photo's
but still wearable and could be sewn up
lovely original flapper dress

measures lying flat:
dress is cut on a bias so has stretch to it.

armpit to pit 14"
armpit opening 7"
waist 14"
there is not really a waist on flapper dresses so this is mid point
across shoulder 12"
neck to hem 37"


From Me:

I think it might really be rayon and between 1929-1931.