Boy's Dress and Hat
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Lawrence Eddy
(American, 1892 - 1980)
RetailerSold by
Avenue de l'Opera
(French)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1890s
MediumDress (.a): Machine-stitched cotton, with mother of pearl buttons.
Hat (.b): Machine-stitched wool, silk, cotton, and vinyl, with cardboard and wire.
DimensionsComponent (dress length x width): 20 1/2 x 23 1/2in. (52.1 x 59.7cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Annetta Eddy Brigham
DescriptionSmall boy's sailor dress (.a) made of white, stiff, rib-woven cotton. The dress has a wide, round neckline, which is piped and controlled by a drawstring. A semicircular, gathered bib of machine-made chemical lace extends from the center front of the neckline. The dress is sleeveless, but it has 5 1/2-inch-wide ruffles of plain white cotton with wide chemical lace edging extending from the neckline. These ruffles taper to the waistline, flanking five vertical box pleats stitched down the center of the bodice. The skirt is pleated. The back of the dress is identical to the front, with the exception of the "bib." Additionally, the back of the dress has a ten-inch placket with six 3/8-inch hidden white buttons.
The sailor hat (.b) is made of cream-colored machine-knitted wool. A rib-woven silk band lined with vinyl resembling leather fits around the head below the flat, round crown. A large silk pom-pom (four inches in diameter) is stitched in the center of the crown. The round shape of the crown is supported by a wire or reed around the circumference, inside the lining. The band underneath the crown features a woven motif of a blue anchor at the center front. Two ribbons matching this band (12 inches long x 2 1/4 inches wide) are attached at the center back. Cardboard is used as an interlining to provide stiffness. The inside of the crown is lined with white, plain-woven silk.
The sailor hat (.b) is made of cream-colored machine-knitted wool. A rib-woven silk band lined with vinyl resembling leather fits around the head below the flat, round crown. A large silk pom-pom (four inches in diameter) is stitched in the center of the crown. The round shape of the crown is supported by a wire or reed around the circumference, inside the lining. The band underneath the crown features a woven motif of a blue anchor at the center front. Two ribbons matching this band (12 inches long x 2 1/4 inches wide) are attached at the center back. Cardboard is used as an interlining to provide stiffness. The inside of the crown is lined with white, plain-woven silk.
Object number2001.49.25a,b
NotesHistorical Note: According to donor, this outfit was purchased for her father, Lawrence Eddy, on a trip to Paris with his parents. (Schoelwer 3/21/ 2002)On View
Not on view