Dress, 1925-1935

This dress was owned by Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward. A dramatic and slinky bias cut evening dress, both the styling and the coral color are typical of the mid 1930s. The interesting seaming and panel insets give much visual interest to what might seemingly be a plain dress.Virginia Palmer Bradfield was born 1897 in Grand Rapids, MI. She was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families.Her great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroa…

Cloche, 1920-1925

Stick Pin, about 1900

This stick pin was likely used by a man because of the dark, rather heavy piece of lapis lazuli set into it.These pieces were used by gentlemen primarily to catch and keep the tails of the teck scarves, cravats, etc. together.This is quite plain and could date from a wide range of dates but most likely is from the late nineteenth century to early twentieth century, when these are most popular.

Cloche, 1925-1936

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.

Cloche, 1915-1925

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.

Shoes, 1925-1940

Mrs. Firestone likely used these sturdy, comfortable shoes for casual day wear-- particularly for travel in the late 1920s and 1930s. 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.

Shoes, 1925-1940

Mrs. Firestone likely wore these sturdy, low-heeled shoes for travel and every day casual wear. These could have been used from the later 1920s throughout the 1930s. 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 fashi…

Shoes, 1925-1935

Mrs. Firestone likely had these custom made to match a specific outfit, now gone. These likely date to the early 1930s.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.

Shoes, 1925-1940

These are classic pumps, and could have been worn for two decades. Mrs. Firestone may well have worn these shoes during foreign travel, as they are both attractive and practical.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 ta…

Shoes, 1925-1940

These are comfortable late 1920s-early 1930's pumps used for special occasions. They were surely made to match a specific outfit. Edward Cohen was one of Mrs. Firestone's preferred shoemakers in the late 1920s. 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 collect…

Sleeveless Scoop Neck Chiffon Chemise Dress, about 1930

Sleeveless orange silk chiffon chemise dress. Scooped neckline in front, with deeper V in back. Bodice front has five narrow flounces from neckline to below bust; back of bodice and midriff are plain. Eight flounces from waistline to hem that curve up side and back of dress to end in point at waist with two self-fabric flowers. Two panels hang from waistline to below hemline in back. Flounces and panels are bias-cut. Waist just below natural waistline. Self-fabric belt closes with hook and eye s…

Brick-Red Silk Dress, 1925-1926

Brick-red silk dress with all-over print of various-sized white dots with bits of blue. Collar and cuffs in off-white crepe with pleated edges. Down front of dress and above sleeve cuffs are diamond-shaped cut-outs with pleated crepe backing and self-fabric button/loop closures. Entire dress constructed of zigzag and diamond-shaped fabric pieces, alternately flat or pleated; exceptions are at sleeves and shoulder yoke. Dropped waistline with double self-fabric flounce, very finely pleated. Accom…

Shoes, 1925-1940

While these shoes are not marked, they strongly resemble other shoes in the collection made by Edward Cohen of New York. Mr. Cohen was a favorite shoe maker of Mrs. Firestone in the late 1920s and early 1930s. 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 collecti…

Dress with Underskirt, about 1927

Patou was one of the most important designers of the early-mid 20th Century. He created fashions for slim, active, petite women like Elizabeth Parke Firestone. This is a cute, bouncy dress for a woman with a young family and many obligations.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 Par…

Shoes, 1925-1935

This style was favored by Mrs. Firestone in the late 1920s and in to the 1930s. Edward Cohen was her preferredshoemaker during this time.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.

Shoe, about 1930

This style of shoe was worn by Mrs. Firestone circa 1930. She is pictured wearing this style of shoe with her 10th wedding anniversary outfit in 1931. This pair was surely custom made to match a specific dress or outfit.She had this same style made in many different colors. 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 …

Shoes, 1915-1920

These are one of the earliest pairs of shoes we have in our collection from Mrs. Firestone. They are one of the few ready-to-wear pairs in the collection. Most of her shoes were custom made to match specific outfits. She wore an identical pair in ivory silk satin to her wedding.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 …

Shoes, 1925-1930

Edward Cohen was Mrs. Firestone's shoemaker in the 1920s. As with most of her shoes, these were likely made to match a specific outfit. 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.

Two-piece knit dress with tunic top from the 1920s

This two-piece knit dress has a tunic top and plain skirt. There are nine buttons on each side of the tunic as well as machine embroidery in shades of orange and tan. Label: "MADE IN FRANCE, Mae & Hattie Green, 587, Fifth Avenue. NEW-YORK."

Women's black silk pumps from the mid '20s or early '30s

A pair of woman's black silk pumps with the vamp outlined in silver kid. The shoes have a gold and silver kid strap across the instep, a high heel, and a white kid lining. The toe and heel are closed. Label: Made Expressly for Ernst Kern Co., Detroit.