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Mules, about 1870
Mrs. Tom Thumb (1841-1918), was known variously as Lavinia Warren, Countess M. Lavinia Magri, and Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump. She was a dwarf who stood just 32 inches high. Lavinia Warren went under contract to P.T. Barnum in 1862, who indulged her preferences for fine clothing and jewelry.She married Tom Thumb (Charles Stratton, 1838-1883) in 1863 and the two toured with P.T. Barnum's Circus until Thumb's death in 1883. These fine slippers offer an indication of her size (very small) and style (…
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Earrings, about 1870
This pair of earrings is primarily Egyptian in form and decoration. However, it does include some aspects of otherhistorical styles such as the pendant amphora.One might also offer that the knife edge work is also seen in some Greek and Roman revival jewelry.Egyptian motifs were particularly popular in Western jewelry in the later 1860s and 1870s, and these earrings are compatible with the aesthetic of that period.However, screw back earrings were not seen in this era.It seems plausible that the…
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Child's Shoes, about 1870
These are sturdy, simple, inexpensive half-boots likely worn by a working class child. Thick, strong leather would have been uncomfortable and unforgiving for the wearer.
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Earrings, about 1870
These earrings are quite typical gold metal and black enamel earrings dating from about 1870.This gold metal and black enamel decoration is quite popular 1870-1890.However, the decoration on the plaques appears to be from the late 1860s or early 1870s and the length of the earrings indicates a date of the 1870.By the 1880s earrings had become shorter to prevent them from becoming entangled in lacy collars; these are too long to date from the 1880s.
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Baseball Uniform Shirt, about 1865-1885
By the late 1850s, baseball became an increasingly formal sport with urban teams sporting their own uniforms.The predominant style shirt of the late 1850s into the 1870s was a bib front.Typical as well, is an abbreviation of the club name on the bib.The maker of this top applied the letters "A B B C." The letter "A" signifies the club name, and it may reflect a specific town such as Akron or the club name such as "Atlantic."The letters "B B C" represent the term "base ball club," and was also ty…
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Women's Boots, about 1870
The machine stitching on these boots is extraordinarily tight and fine--fabulous. Very narrow outer sole for a long, skinny foot. They could be wedding boots. Donor Mrs. Ethel G. Douglas, of 5th Ave. in New York City, was born circa 1885 in Pennsylvania. It is plausible that these were her mother's shoes, perhaps worn at a wedding around 1875.
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Waistcoat, about 1870
Nice example of warm weather waistcoat.Appears to be two parallel rows of top-stitching on lapel and foreparts.Waistcoast hand sewn except center back seam.Seams with buttons on posts or links.
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Black wool riding habit from the nineteenth century
This woman's black wool riding habit has a fitted jacket (a) with a stand-up collar and a cloth ruffle showing above the top. It has sloping shoulders, and long, tight sleeves. It buttons down the front, and is cut-away with a short tail in the back. The skirt (b) is very long and full, and is gathered at the waist in large pleats. It has a black cloth waistband. The black felt hat (c) has a round crown with a narrow visor in the front. It has a band of black grosgrain ribbon, and is lined wit…