Saturday, 6-September-2003 10:24 AM GMT
The plackard barely reads (I was having a hard time holding the camera still I guess),
DRESS COAT.
USA; late 1840s early 1850s.
Blue-black fine wool with velvet collar.
TROUSERS; linen woven in twill.
USA; late 1840s early 1850s.
Both items reputed to have been worn by donor's grandfather William Pierson Johnes, a linen merchant of New York (d. 1853).
Given by Capt. Raymond Johnes.
T.176, T.177-1965.
SCARF CRAVAT.
English; 1840s.
Black satin with pre-formed bow and buckled fastening.
Given by Miss C Wiggman.
T.215-2966.
WAISTCOAT, figured silk damask.
English; early 1850s.
Given by Miss C M Higgs.
T.221-1949.
TOP HAT, silk plush.
English; Maker's label Messrs Chapman and Moore, 30 Old Bond St. London W.C., mid-19th century.
Given by Mr Hubert Arthur Bruce.
T.19-1918.
All other items are replicas.
I like waistcoats, I think they draw a pleasing line on the body, whether a man's or a woman's. Tailored trousers with straight legs are also a nice item. All in all this looked fun enough for more silly vampire things, thinking about Lestat in particular. So this is another bad picture taken for friends and whimsy rather than trying to make it look good. I knew it was not going to work out after seeing the first one.
The other thing that some of these half-baked photos provide is at least enough visual cues for an artist in general shape and inspiration. There might not be enough detail to accurately recreate a garment but there is enough at least to intimate one.
I probably had vampires on the brain so much because the person that I wanted to be traveling with in Britain was not with me.
We wandered through the gallery for clothing and spent a good while looking at all the 'costumes' though many were simply too modern to be interesting. I suppose I could have taken more pictures, but with the glass and lighting issues, I just did not try.
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