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  • Men's Slippers, about 1858

    Undress or negligee dress was the term given to casual, loose-fitting clothing worn in the morning before changing in to fashionable day dress. Men's embroidered slippers (bright-colored worsted work on canvas) were very popular in the early Victorian period. Ladies magazines often included embroidery patterns for house slippers that a woman mightmake for her husband as a gift. Please note that the term Berlin Work or Berlin Woolwork comes from the fact that the best embroidery patterns came fro…

  • Women's Slippers, about 1800

    This style toe was popular in the very late 18th - early 19th century. While these are called slippers, they were actually fairly fashionable shoes. The heel on this pair is very fashionable. The handwork suggests that these were custom made.

  • Men's Slippers, 1830-1860

    "Undies", or casual morning wear to be worn at home, could be quite decorative and fancy in the 19th century. Loose fitting sacques or morning dress for women could be quite elaborate, including elegant footwear. Men, too, enjoyed robes and slippers that could be quite elaborate. Berlin work patterns for slippers were exceedingly popular circa 1850. These slippers are both expensive and quite elaborate for a middle-class man around 1850. They appear little worn. Benjamin Wheeler was, according t…

  • Shoes, 1955-1965

    Mrs. Firestone likely had these custom made to match a specific outfit, now gone. This was a style she favored in the late 1950s and 1960s. The color indicates summer wear.Born in Decatur, Illinois in 1897 Elizabeth Parke married Harvey S. Firestone Jr., son of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company founder Harvey S. Firestone, in 1921.Once described by a friend as, "the most luxurious woman in the history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in…

  • Shoes, about 1960

    Mrs. Firestone likely had these shoes custom made to match a specific outfit, now gone.Born in Decatur, Illinois in 1897 Elizabeth Parke married Harvey S. Firestone Jr., son of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company founder Harvey S. Firestone, in 1921.Once described by a friend as, "the most luxurious woman in the history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashion.

  • Women's Shoes, about 1800

    These are one of the few pairs of 18th century women's shoes in our collection. The extremely pointed toes, small "Italian style" Louis heel, metallic braid and sumptuous trim indicate a late 18th to early 19th century date. These are expensive shoes made for an affluent woman of taste.

  • Cotton Slippers Embroidered with Gold Thread, 1935

    Slippers of blue cotton embroidered in gold thread, which were owned by Frances Dodge (November 27, 1914 – January 24, 1971), who was the eldest daughter of John Francis Dodge (co-founder of Dodge Motor Company) and his third wife, Matilda Rausch Dodge (Wilson).

  • Velvet Slippers Embroidered with Gold Thread, 1935

    Slippers of red velvet embroidered in gold thread, which were owned by Frances Dodge (November 27, 1914 – January 24, 1971), who was the eldest daughter of John Francis Dodge (co-founder of Dodge Motor Company) and his third wife, Matilda Rausch Dodge (Wilson).