Man's Shirt

Dateabout 1825-1850

MediumHand-stitched linen with bone buttons

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center back length x width across shoulders): 37 1/4 x 20 1/2in. (94.6 x 52.1cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Leon Hart, in memory of George F. Spencer and his daughter, Martha Linsley Spencer

Object number1967.36.2

DescriptionMan's shirt of coarse, plain linen. The body is cut as a long rectangle, folded in half to create the shoulderline. The fabric is stitched selvage-to-selvage along the proper left side; it is seamed and overcast on the right side. The turn-down collar is 4 5/8 inches wide. The center front opening extends 8 3/4 inches and fastens with two bone buttons. The bottom of the opening slit is reinforced by a thread bar covered in buttonhole stitches. The full sleeves are gathered at the shoulder and into the 2 1/2-inch-wide cuff, which fastens with a single bone button. The sleeves are gusseted. The shirt is lined across the shoulders to a depth of four inches in front and seven inches in back. A gusset in the shoulder seam allows the collar to be set in. The shirt is gathered into the seam at the back of the collar. The side seams are open for about ten inches from the bottom edge.

NotesA researcher in July 2016 identified this as a man's smock, not a shirt, due to the length of the body. Needs to be re-examined.

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