Dress, about 1850

Evening Dress, 1958

A couture piece by Henri Bendel made for Mrs. Edmond DeVine (Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine) of Ann Arbor, MI. Mrs. DeVine's portrait was painted wearing this dress, and the painting stills hangs in the family home. This lovely dress has seen a fair amount of wear-- it was surely a special gown worn for special occasions. Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families.Her great great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mi…

Dress, 1924

The dress was designed by Callot Soeurs. Callot Soeurs was one of the leading fashion houses in Paris during the 1920s. They catered to an exclusive clientele from across Europe and the United States. The house opened in 1895 at 24, rue Taitbout in Paris, France and was operated by the four Callot sisters: Marie Callot Gerber, Marthe Callot Bertrand, Regina Callot Tennyson-Chantrell and Joséphine Callot Crimont. They were known for their exotic and lavish detail; feminine, delicate fabrics and …

Dress, about 1860

While this appears to be a day dress at first glance, it was more likely used around the house in the morning as it opens entirely from waist to hem at center front. It may have had boning in the bodice, however the bodice has been altered so it is difficult to determine.Worn by Betsy Ann Cowles Palmer around 1860. Betsy Ann Cowles Palmer was born in 1822. In 1839, she married Charles Henry Palmer, a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Palmer'…

Dress, 1850-1855

An interesting, inexpensive fabric. The sleeve is a little modified from its work dress origins. This was probably the best dress of a lower middle class woman.

Dress, 1855-1865

This dress appears to have been remade in order to incorporate late 1860s fashion. The sleeves suggest the 1860s; the skirt appears to have been remade, and pleated instead of gauged. The dress is pieced to make up the yardage, but in a very deliberate mirror image on each side to make it less noticeable.

Dress, 1845-1847

The simple bodice indicates that this dress was worn with a lace bertha and sleeve ruffles. The bust improvers, bodice construction and skirt are typical of the period. The dress was possibly remade from an earlier 1830s silk.

Dress, 1828-1832

The full sleeves, boat neckline, and short waist of this dress suggest a date of around 1830; the silk is expensive.

Dress, 1820-1825

This dress descended down through the family of Louise Ogle Scull (1828-1906?), grandmother of the donor. Scull lived in Somerset, Pennsylvania, seat of Somerset County. She is said to have married Edward Scull in 1848. The mancheron of the sleeves is reminiscent of the 1810s, but the waist is lower indicating the 1820-23 period. The Van Dyked trim, collar, puffed oversleeve, and skirt treatment are typical of the early 1820's.