Man's Tuxedo
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Christopher Battalino
(American, 1908 - 1977)
Clothing MakerMade by
West Mill System
(American)
RetailerSold by
Kramer's Inc.
(American)
Date1940-1955
MediumCoat (.a): Machine-stitched and hand-stitched wool, with silk satin trim, silk and cotton linings, and plastic buttons.
Pants (.b): Machine-stitched and hand-stitched wool with satin trim, cotton linings, and plastic buttons.
Vest (.c): Machine-stitched and hand-stitched silk/cotton faille with silk satin trim, cotton lining and back, metal and silk buttons, and a metal buckle.
DimensionsComponent (coat length x width): 29 1/2 x 17 1/2in. (74.9 x 44.5cm)
Component (pants length x width x circumference at waist): 41 5/8 x 16 x 32in. (105.7 x 40.6 x 81.3cm)
Component (vest length x width x circumference at chest): 22 1/4 x 18 x 36in. (56.5 x 45.7 x 91.4cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Marie Peichert
Object number1995.115.16a-c
DescriptionMan's tuxedo coat (.a) of black wool with black silk satin trim. The single-breasted front closure has a single black plastic button on the proper right side, with a corresponding machine-made button hole on the proper left. The wide peaked lapel is made from black satin fabric, which is attached to the wool turn-down collar. The sleeves are made from two shaped pieces, a top and bottom, with a false vent stitched into the seam at the back of the arm. The 2 5/8-inch-long vent is open for one inch from the hem. Three buttons, smaller than the one on the front, are stitched to the cuff here. The coat is shaped with two darts on each side front. One dart runs from the top of the hip pocket to chest level. The second dart is stitched from the bottom of the armpit to the top of the hip pocket. The back is constructed with a center back seam and a set of back side seams. There is no vent. There are three pockets on the outside of the coat. An upturned flap pocket has been sewn on the proper left breast. A flap pocket has been sewn at each hip. There is an interior breast pocket on the proper right side; the vertical opening is sewn into the seam between the facing and lining. The coat is half-lined, with a black silk lining at each side front and at the top of the shoulders. The sleeves are lined with a white fabric. All exposed seams are finished with a strip of black silk tape.
Man's tuxedo pants (.b) of black wool with black satin trim on the outer leg seams. The fly front closure has four buttons on the proper right side, a fifth button at the top on the proper left buttoning to the right, and a sixth button on the proper right waistband. All of the buttons used on the pants are black plastic of varying sizes, with the exception of the suspender buttons at the center back. The suspender buttons are larger and of an ornamental style: they are probably not original. The 1 5/8-inch-wide waistband has six belt loops, as well as suspender buttons, two on each side front and the two larger buttons, stitched one on each side of the center back. The pants have five pockets. Each side seam has a set-in pocket. There is a watch pocket stitched into the waistband seam on the proper right. The back, single-welt pockets are placed on each side back, just under the dart. All of the pockets are made from a black glazed twill-woven cotton. A heavier cotton fabric is used for lining the waistband. A 1/2-inch-wide satin ribbon is topstitched to each side seam. The hem of each leg is cut longer in the back than the front.
Man's black vest (.c) made from a very heavy silk/cotton faille for the front, with a back and lining of cotton and a shawl collar of silk satin. The four-button front closure is below the long, satin lapels of the shawl collar. These lapels are stitched into the shoulder seams of the vest. The four small buttons have a silver metal ring around an inset of black silk. These shank buttons are inserted into holes on the proper right front, then stitched to a placket on the inside to hold them (instead of using metal clips). The bottom edges of the front are points. The front is shaped with two long darts from the hem, one on each side through the upturned flap pockets. The back is made of a black cotton fabric, slightly shorter at the center back seam. The belt has a metal buckle on the proper left side. The lining is also made of black cotton.
NotesHistorical Notes: On 23 September 1929, Christopher "Bat" Battalino (1908-1977) defeated Andre Routis of France to become the World Featherweight Boxing Champion. The fight took place at the Velodrome in East Hartford; it went fifteen rounds, despite the fact that Bat Battalino broke both of his hands in the fourth. He remained champion until 1932, winning 58 of 88 bouts, and experiencing only one knockout defeat. Bat Battalino retired from the ring in 1940.Man's tuxedo pants (.b) of black wool with black satin trim on the outer leg seams. The fly front closure has four buttons on the proper right side, a fifth button at the top on the proper left buttoning to the right, and a sixth button on the proper right waistband. All of the buttons used on the pants are black plastic of varying sizes, with the exception of the suspender buttons at the center back. The suspender buttons are larger and of an ornamental style: they are probably not original. The 1 5/8-inch-wide waistband has six belt loops, as well as suspender buttons, two on each side front and the two larger buttons, stitched one on each side of the center back. The pants have five pockets. Each side seam has a set-in pocket. There is a watch pocket stitched into the waistband seam on the proper right. The back, single-welt pockets are placed on each side back, just under the dart. All of the pockets are made from a black glazed twill-woven cotton. A heavier cotton fabric is used for lining the waistband. A 1/2-inch-wide satin ribbon is topstitched to each side seam. The hem of each leg is cut longer in the back than the front.
Man's black vest (.c) made from a very heavy silk/cotton faille for the front, with a back and lining of cotton and a shawl collar of silk satin. The four-button front closure is below the long, satin lapels of the shawl collar. These lapels are stitched into the shoulder seams of the vest. The four small buttons have a silver metal ring around an inset of black silk. These shank buttons are inserted into holes on the proper right front, then stitched to a placket on the inside to hold them (instead of using metal clips). The bottom edges of the front are points. The front is shaped with two long darts from the hem, one on each side through the upturned flap pockets. The back is made of a black cotton fabric, slightly shorter at the center back seam. The belt has a metal buckle on the proper left side. The lining is also made of black cotton.
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