I have had something like this in my collection. A note with mine said that
it was a garment worn in 1936 for a GWA celebration ball. The fabric was
'screaming gunnysack' as might have been appropriate for the Great
Depression. Also have a red sateen gents jacket with lovely lace cuffs and
gilt trim that came from another source, but was used during the 30's
decade.
kathleen Mitchell
----- Original Message -----
From: "Katy Bishop" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Historical Costume" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 8:44 AM
Subject: Re: [h-cost] 1867 Washington DC Fashion question
Years ago I came across a costume in an antique store, a pitiful
little cheap cotton dress, looking like 1920s or 1930s cloth and basic
design, done in pseudo-18th century style. The makers label said it
was a George Washington bicentennial dress. I have since regretted
not having bought it.....
Katy
On Feb 5, 2008 4:59 PM, Janet Newton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
How about a ball in honor of George Washington's birthday -
The original version of the holiday was in commemoration of George
Washington's birthday in 1796 (the last full year of his presidency).
Washington, according to the calendar that has been used since at least
the
mid-18th century, was born on February 22, 1732. According to the old
style
calendar in use back then, however, he was born on February 11. At least
in
1796, many Americans celebrated his birthday on the 22nd while others
marked
the occasion on the 11th instead.
By the early 19th century, Washington's Birthday had taken firm root in
the
American experience as a bona fide national holiday. Its traditions
included Birthnight Balls in various regions, speeches and receptions
given
by prominent public figures, and a lot of revelry in taverns throughout
the
land. Then along came Abraham Lincoln, another revered president and
fellow
February baby (born on the 12th of the month). The first formal
observance
of his birthday took place in 1865, the year after his assassination,
when
both houses of Congress gathered for a memorial address. While Lincoln's
Birthday did not become a federal holiday like George Washington's, it
did
become a legal holiday in several states.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Agnes Gawne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:03 PM
Subject: [h-cost] 1867 Washington DC Fashion question
> My brother sent me a question about fashion in 1867 - specifically
> regarding a ball in Washington DC. Do any of you have any idea why an
> 1867 woman would powder her hair or wear a blue ribbon around her neck?
>
> Here is the original quote. It's taken from the letters of John Hay.
> He
> was Abraham Lincoln's private secretary all during the Lincoln
> administration and then got sent to France as a diplomatic attache
> during
> the Johnson administration. He wrote about the ball in DC in February
> 1867 when he'd just returned from Paris.
>
> begin quote:
> "February 11. Mrs. Sprague gave a beautiful ball. The ladies who
> danced the Cotillon, and many who did not, had their hair powdered a
> la marquise. I have never seen so beautiful and picturesque a
> roomful. Some of the most striking were the Hostess herself (with
> whom I danced), the Hoyts, Miss Romain Goddard, Miss Haggerty, and
> Mrs. Banks, who was very correctly dressed, even to the extend of the
> blue ribbon around the neck, a little refinement in which she was
> alone -- Miss Kinzie, a fresh Western beauty and a superb danseuse.
> Mrs. Sumner and Miss Hooper, though not powdered, were beautifully
> dressed."
> :end quote
>
> I have my theories but I don't want to influence any of your answers as
> they are just theories.
>
> Thanks,
> Agnes
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>
>
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--
Katy Bishop, Vintage Victorian
[EMAIL PROTECTED] www.VintageVictorian.com
Custom reproduction gowns of the Victorian Era.
Publisher of the Vintage Dress Series books.
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