Man's Vest
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
William Hutchinson Putnam
American, 1878 - 1958
MakerMade by
F.L. Dunne & Co.
American
Date1915
MediumMachine-stitched silk faille, with silk satin back and lining, a metal buckle, and pearl buttons
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length to bottom front x width across chest): 25 x 21in. (63.5 x 53.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of the estate of Marcella Putnam
DescriptionMan's vest of ivory-colored silk faille with a shawl collar and a satin back. The shawl collar has a low front closure with four small pearl buttons. There are corresponding hand-made buttonholes on the proper left. The buttons have shanks which have been threaded through holes in the proper right side and secured with metal rings. A placket has been sewn over the rings for protection. The bottom of the shawl collar has been stitched down. The collar ends at the shoulder seams. The bottom of each side front is pointed to the center edge. An elastic loop is stitched to the underside of the proper left edge; this may have been used to stretch over the waistband button of the trousers to prevent the vest from riding up. The front is constructed with a dart on each side, running from the hem up to the chest under the collar. The side seams each have a one-inch vent, with the back being half an inch longer than the front. There is a center back seam in the ivory-colored satin. There are small gore insertions, one on each back side at the hem, for further shaping. The satin belt is sewn into each side seam with a silver-colored metal buckle on the proper left side. The same satin fabric is also used to line the vest. There are needle holes at each side seam and through the satin fabric belt, suggesting that this vest was made smaller at one time, with the stitching subsequently removed. The gores, however, appear to be original. There are three slash pockets with upturned welts; one on each side front at waist level, and a third on the proper left breast.
Object number1991.143.16
MarkingsPrinted label on the back of the proper left side of the belt, white fabric with blue printing, "F.L. Dunne & Co. / BOSTON- NEW YORK". Written in script and ink around the edges of the label are, "60238 / 1915 Sept. / W.H. Putnam Esq." Embroidered on the back of the proper right side belt, in red thread script, "W H P".
Something indecipherable is stamped onto the back of the buckle.
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