Collection of Six Shirtwaists and One Straw Hat, 1890-1920

This lot includes seven items; six shirtwaists and blouses, one hat from the Tasha Tudor Collection of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Tasha Tudor (née Starling Burgess, 1915-2008) was a writer and illustrator of children’s books, including Mother Goose and Corgiville Fair. The idyllic, 19th century world she painted in her books was the lifestyle she pursued: for much of her adult life Tudor lived on New England farms, weaving, tending to animals, baking bread, and collecting, mending, and wearing centuries-old clothing.

For detailed biography, see Jeanette Chandler Knazek, “Tasha Tudor,” Tashatudorandfamily.com.

THE FIRST
White sheer cotton blouse embellished with floral embroidery, a rolled point collar trimmed with lace, long sleeves with cuffs, front stitched grid and floral design, and front 1/4 button down closure. 1915.
Label: Blue Bird / Hand Made Blouse
Size Label: N/A
Accession No.: 1996-646

Approximate Measurements:
Shoulders: 13.5"
Chest: 40.5"
Waist: 41.5"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 23"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 29"

THE SECOND
White cotton sheer hand made blouse with squared off rolled collar edged in lace, cuffed long sleeves, gathered back waist with ties, and left front side button closure. 1920.
Label: Blue Bird / Hand Made Blouse
Size Label: 36
Accession No.: 1996-647

Approximate Measurements:
Shoulders: 14.25"
Chest: 38"
Waist: 37"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 20"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 30"

THE THIRD
White cotton box cut blouse with squared off rolled collar edged in lace, cuffed long sleeves, gathered back waist, and left front side button closure. 1920.
Unlabeled
Size Label: N/A
Accession No.: 1996-648

Approximate Measurements:
Shoulders: 15.5"
Chest: 41"
Waist: 40"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 20"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 27.5"

THE FOURTH
White cotton net lace shirtwaist lined with sheer silk, and boned stand collar, bloused front, fitted long sleeves, and center back button closure with back waist ties. 1890.
Unlabeled
Size Label: 34
Accession No.: 1996-652

Approximate Measurements:
Shoulders: 13"
Chest: 34"
Waist: 24"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 19.5"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 31"

THE FIFTH
Cream shirred cotton and lace ribbon pieced bodice with ruffled lace collar and long sleeves and center front button closure. 1910.
Unlabeled
Size Label: N/A
Accession No.: 1996-653

Approximate Measurements:
Shoulders: 15.5"
Chest: 37"
Waist: 27"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 14.5"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 27"

THE SIXTH
Cream shirred cotton and lace ribbon pieced bodice with lace neckline, short sleeves, and center front hook and eye closure. 1920.
Unlabeled
Size Label: N/A
Accession No.: 1996-654

Approximate Measurements:
Shoulders: 12"
Chest: 33"
Waist: 26.5"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 18.5"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 19"

SEVENTH
Natural woven straw hat with layered brim, shallow cap, woven orange, pink, and blue ribbed ribbon band, and grosgrain ribbon strap.
Unlabeled
Size Label: N/A
Accession No.: 1996-374

Approximate Measurements:
Sweatband Circumference: 19"

Deaccessioned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Proceeds to Benefit the Acquisition Fund

Condition:

The overall condition is fair-good with the following:

THE FIRST
Split/Separated Seams: There are loose stitches where the cuffs meet the sleeves.
Fading/Color Change: The overall color has yellowed due to age.
Soiling/Spots: The top of the shoulders, neckline, and sleeve tops are all yellowed from wear with an additional dark yellow spot on the front right chest and smaller spots on the front left chest. The cuffs have a moderate amount of soiling and some small spots around the hemline.
Repairs/Alterations: There appears to be some repairs made to both sleeves under the arms and down the tops of the side seams. The back left neckline has a repair made under the collar.

THE SECOND
Structural Issues: There is a small hole on both sleeves where the cuffs are attached.
Split/Separated Seams: There's a pulled thread on the right front sleeve.
Fading/Color Change: The overall color has yellowed due to age.
Soiling/Spots: The top of the shoulders, neckline, and sleeve tops are all yellowed from wear with additional yellowed spots on the front collar and center blouse panel.
Repairs/Alterations: There are some repairs made to the under arm seams. Some of the buttons appear to have been replaced at some point.

THE THIRD
Split/Separated Seams: Both sleeves have seams opening at the wrist.
Fading/Color Change: The overall color has yellowed due to age.
Soiling/Spots: There are yellowed spots on the front collar lace and the center blouse panel lace. The interior neckline has some light soiling and pin head sized spots.

THE FOURTH
Structural Issues: There are some broken threads in the lace located at the left side back near the waist, and the left and right sleeves above the fitted cuff.
Losses: There are some small holes in the net of the lace on the front left waist and back right bodice next to the armhole.
Fading/Color Change: The overall color has yellowed due to age.
Soiling/Spots: The top of the shoulders, neckline, sleeve tops, and underarms are all yellowed from wear.
Repairs/Alterations: There are two patch repairs made under the arms in the silk lining.

THE FIFTH
Fading/Color Change: The overall color has yellowed due to age.
Soiling/Spots: There are several dark orange spots located on the font shoulders, lower front left waist, and both sides of the sleeve hems.

THE SIXTH
Structural Issues: The left sleeve is half detached under the arm with two smaller holes under the right sleeve. There are some small pin head sized holes in the shirred cotton strips along the front right and left shoulder.
Fading/Color Change: The overall color has yellowed due to age.
Soiling/Spots: The under arms have some moderate soiling from wear as well as the front bodice at chest level and back bodice as waist level.

THE SEVENTH
Fading/Color Change: The ribbon band appears to have faded slightly, likely due to age.
Soiling/Spots: The sweatband has some light soiling die to wear and the ribbon strap has several dark spots/holes, likely from a hat pin.

Everything is sold 'As Is’. The stated overall condition of the lot is based on the assumption that the wear is consistent with age and use. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. All other condition issues are stated above. To request additional working condition photos, please email [email protected] with the lot number. Condition is a matter of opinion of the evaluator and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Clients must review and agree to the Conditions of Sale before participating in an auction.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Timothy Long

Director, Senior Specialist, Couture & Luxury Accessories

[email protected]312.334.4222

Mr. Long has nearly 20 years of experience as a curator of fashion and decorative arts in museums including the Museum of London, the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and the Chicago History Museum. At Hindman, he works with individual clients, collectors, dealers, and museums to bring to auction collections of couture and luxury accessories. Mr. Long’s recent publications include Charles James: Designer in Detail and a chapter on the same designer in London Couture: British Luxury 1923–1975, both published by V&A Publishing.

We are open for pick-up Monday-Friday: 9am-4:30pm.

For questions about shipping or packing, please contact [email protected] or see our Shipping/Packing page.

Icons of Style: Summer Fashion & Accessories

Collection of Six Shirtwaists and One Straw Hat, 1890-1920

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup