Museum Collection
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#2728 - c. 1950's Couture Grey Satin and Light Blue Taffeta Ballgown! Charles James? I'm amazed that this gown has no label. It came from the same estate auction as the incredible unlabeled pink beaded ballgown below. This woman was obviously a very wealthy clotheshorse... as the gowns are nearly pristine... worn only once if worn at all. This gown is very Victorian.. even Moulin Rouge... in design with a very fitted, off-shoulder boned corset bodice and draped skirt front and bustled back. The materials are fairly stiff to create a sculptured look. The grey satin is heavy-weight. The light blue taffeta is almost paper thin. The two blue roses are not part of the gown, but would have been worn with similar decorations. They work beautifully with the gown, so I will include them. Hand stitched back zipper. As "Charles James" as you can get! Measures: 34/35" bust, 25" waist, 43" long from natural waist to hem.

SOLD - but on display in Museum Category for Research/Study
#2727 - c. 1950's Amazing Pink Satin and Beaded Netting Ballgown! If you have always dreamed of being Cinderella, and your fairy godmother gives you a choice of what you want when she waves her magic wand.., I'd suggest you ask for this! No Prince could resist you! The most extraordinary ballgown you will ever see. This pink satin gown consists of boned bodice with beautiful beaded and lace netted overlay on the skirt. The netting on the skirt ends in points with beading of faux pearls, bugle beads and rhinestones done in a lovely design. There is no size on the gown but the measurements are approx. 35" bust, 27" waist and full skirt - skirt length is 43" with a 3" inch hem. Gown closes with zipper in back hidden with a row of graduated bows. Excellent, near mint condition!

SOLD - but on display in Museum Category for Research/Study
#3402 - c. 1877 Sage Green Silk Taffeta and Cream Jacquard Bustle Gown with 3 Foot Train! I don't know if you have tried to find one of these gowns recently, but I can tell you that it's not easy to find. Excellent condition! Amazing! It will make you believe that you ARE in 1877 - it looks that new. Fabulous sage green color silk taffeta gown beautifully designed with pleated ruffles and bows. All trimmed in cream silk jacquard bows, ruffles, ribbons, poufs. Pleated 3 foot long train is trimmed in lace. Even has all ten fabulous brass flower buttons. So perfect, it looks like one of those miniature porcelain dressforms, but it's the real thing and wearable if you are a small woman. If you only have one outfit on display, this is the one you will want. Measures: 30" bust, 24" waist, 40" long from waist to hem in front, 78" long from waist to hem in back!

SOLD - but on display in Museum Category for Research/Study
#3094 - c. 1868 Afternoon Gown of Striped Brown, Beige, Ivory, Gold Silk Brocade with Matching Braid and Tassels! Makes you want to return to the 1860's doesn't it? Oh well, perhaps the Civil War aftermath wouldn't really be that nice a time... but look what you'd get to wear! Gorgeous, shimmering wide stripe brocaded silk in muted neutral tones of flowers and stripes.. This gown gives a royal impression of luxury... perhaps it has something to do with the braided and tassel trim and the "renaissance" upper puff sleeves and slightly raised lapel collar. In good condition, but has some issues.... some slight underarm staining, lightly worn in areas of stress at waist and button edges, (see photos). Unlined skirt.. shown over hoop, not included. Buttons down front. Measures: 33" bust, 25" waist, 40" long from waist to hem in front and 46" long in back.

SOLD - but on display in Museum Category for Research/Study
#3406 - c. 1850 Cloak of Printed Wool Edged with Blue Silk Braid! Wonderful example of an early printed wool from just about 1850 (just made it into this category by one year! Certainly an early textile. Shown worn over a hooped skirt (not included). Lined in a printed tan cotton (see photos). Fabulous double pagoda looking sleeves are actually single pagoda with a cape wrapping around to create double-layer interest in front and back. All trimmed in a blue silk braid. Closes with short ties at the front, though some of the ties are missing. Good condition with some light spots here and there, and some material wear at stress points (see photos). Great patterned design textile piece!

SOLD - but on display in Museum Category for Research/Study
#3350 - c. 1927 Made In France Black Beaded Flapper Dress! Always the best... the "Made in France" or "Made in Belgium" beaded dresses. Why? Well, they are - no question - beautiful designs... but they are usually beaded onto stronger material than the usually silk.. often cotton or cotton blend. Anyway, they have held up extremely well over the years... and this dress is no exception. Excellent condition, though someone may have taken in at the sides a bit, and the original chiffon lining is gone... but certainly not missed! Great shape with the scalloped hemline and scarves attached at each hip. Needs slip worn under... shown without and you can see it's just a bit too sheer to go out in public! :). Great low round neckline in front and low "v" in back. Measures 34-36" bust, up to 36" hips, 40" long from shoulder to hem. If you want a flapper beaded dress that you can actually wear... and look smashing, not costumy.... well, my dear...... By the way... sorry for the not-so-great photos, especially of the back.. I think the mannequin moved!!!! Freaky!!! Perhaps this dress has a ghost attached! What fun!!

SOLD - but on display in Museum Category for Research/Study
#3437 - c. 1868 Heavy Ivory Silk Faille with Chenille Fringe Wedding Gown! Alonzo H. Wood didn't know if he would survive the Civil War but he kept looking at the beautiful daguerreotype of his lady love in Boston. He knew if he made it home alive, he would ask her to marry him. He only hoped that she had waited for him. She did. And this is the gown she wore to their wedding in 1868. Her name is written on the inside of the gown, Mrs. Alonzo H. Wood. She was a vision in this heavy silk faille gown trimmed in chenille fringe around sexy low, low décolleté neckline (net covers upper chest), around cuffs, and around edge of peplum. This peplum is actually part of the belt (with rose decoration at front and back) which extends to form long back panels which terminate in large ivory and gold tassels. Fabulous heavy silk rope at hemline. I added a wax decoration at the neckline as she would have worn a piece of jewelry there... but I don't have the perfect cameo pin for the photograph, so the wax piece will have to do! Excellent condition. The perfect wedding display gown... too small for us to wear today! Shown over a hoop not included.

SOLD - but on display in Museum Category for Research/Study
#3359 - c. 1907 McGrath, San Francisco Green Silk Satin and Black Beaded Net Evening Gown! Wearable Size! Unless you own the ORIGINAL Red "Jump Gown" worn by Rose in the movie "Titanic", I can practically guarantee that you don't have any better beaded Edwardian gown in your collection. Heck, I don't even have a better gown in my collection!! The color is amazing! Emerald turquoise green silk satin! Exquisite and Flattering! The gown has the monobosom bodice draped over boned understructure. The bodice has short net sleeves dripping with long silver and black bead fringe at neckline. The skirt has rounded train, of black net sewn with sequins and bugle beads in stylized floral patterns with runched chiffon band at hem. Measures: 36/37" bust, 28" waist, 14" across back between armseams, 44" long skirt in front, 58" long skirt in back (74" long from shoulder to hem in back). Label: McGrath, San Francisco. Obviously owned by a very wealthy woman.

SOLD - but on display in Museum Category for Research/Study
#3125 - c. late 1940's BERGDORF GOODMAN Couture Black Silk Chiffon Ballgown with Sequined Lace! Oh My! This gown positively exudes style, and yet it is so amazingly dramatic! Wonderful black full sweeping chiffon... 2 layers of it...covering a underskirt of black rayon satin with a nicely tailored hem. The gathering, tucking, pleating work in the bodice is magnificent. Ecru floral lace with heavy gimp and clear sequins design. The lace placement is pure genius. Incredible full sweeping skirt. There has got to be a label missing. Too amazing to be otherwise. The only label is down on the seam in the skirt of BERGDORF GOODMAN on the Plaza New York. However during this time there were some magnificent "in-house" designers, like Sophie of Saks Fifth Avenue.. who developed her own special following and accolades. Whoever the designer.... they get my vote! Awesome! Dress can be worn with or without the neck strap. Measures: 34" bust, 27" waist, 38" long from waist in front and 44" long in back. Excellent condition with just a few tiny holes at the inner layer chiffon hemline (heel catches?). This gown is exquisite!

SOLD - but on display in Museum Category for Research/Study