A rare Regency Spencer jacket dating from circa 1820. The jacket is made from lilac silk, it has a wide collar and Tudor Revival style puffed sleeves. The lining is made of both silk and cotton and there are metal hooks and eyes that fasten down the front opening. The jacket was possibly a full-length pelisse originally and may have had the skirt removed as there does appear to be a raw cut edge behind the waistband. Despite being cut down, the bodice is accompanied by a Regency era white muslin skirt which hangs open down the front just as the skirt of a pelisse would do. The muslin skirt has a drawstring waist and decorative inserts of whitework embroidery set amongst a gathered border.

Both bodice and skirt are showing signs of age-related wear. The silk Spencer jacket has many stains, tears and holes all consistent with age and storage. The back of the jacket has some very dark storage stains. The muslin skirt does not appear to have been washed in many years and is rather an aged tone of white, it too has tears, small holes and old mends. Despite the condition, both pieces have an antique charm and Regency garments such as these are extremely rare to find.

Approximate Measurements

Jacket

Bust - 34 inches

Under bust waistline - 26 inches

Front length - 7 inches

Back length - 10 inches

Skirt

Length 42 inches

A rare pair of mid-19th century men’s trouser brace straps. The straps have vibrant embroidered wool panels depicting colourful florals. The front panels are backed with silk and have sprung leather fastenings to the lower ends. The braces are in good condition for their age; the fabric is strong and the wool embroidery is vibrant and unfaded. The top ends appear to have had fixtures cut off or removed; despite this, the braces remain a rare and presentable item of 19th-century men’s dress. The braces originally belonged to John Dickenson Betts and were worn by him after his marriage in 1855.

The length of each strap is 28 inches.

This beautiful dress has been much altered over the years. Made of Spitalfields silk, the dress started life as a highly decorated gown of the 1770s before being restyled into an evening dress in the 1840s. Finally, it seems to have been remade into an 18th-century style costume in the later 19th century. Despite the alterations to the shape of the dress, the 18th-century decoration and trim are of extremely fine quality, and as such, the dress retains a huge amount of Georgian decorative charm. The large padded decoration is stuffed with wool and trimmed with the prettiest hand-made fly fringe. The bodice is lined in linen and fastens down the centre back with hooks. the sleeves and skirt are unlined.

The dress is generally in good condition for its age. Most of the silk is strong and clean. There are some areas of noticeable damage; the left sleeve has a large frayed hole under the arm, which has been patched with silk from the inside to strengthen it. There is a hole on the back of the skirt and some tears around the hem.

Approximate Measurements 

Bust: 35 inches

Waist: 27 inches

Front length: 44 inches

Back length: 50 inches

The dress consists of four pieces: bodice with trained open skirt, under skirt, ruched over skirt, and a belt. The fabric is a very open-weave white muslin which has a very pretty dotted pattern woven into it. The bodice is lined in cotton and fastens with hooks and eyelets. The long, flared sleeves are extremely elegant and typical of the 1870s. The edges of the skirts are trimmed with deep borders of ruched muslin, and the dress is decorated all over with ivory silk ribbon and pink silk fringe. The skirts are unlined; they would likely have been worn over a white underskirt or petticoat. The layering of the sheer, gathered skirts creates the lightweight and airy look so popular in the first bustle era. This is certainly one of the prettiest 1870s dresses I have had for sale, and it’s a rarity for all the matching components to have remained together.

The dress is in good condition for its age. The fabric is clean and white with very little staining; there are a few small marks across the pieces but nothing overly noticeable. Likewise, there are some small holes and tears, but these could easily be mended. The worst areas of damage are to the silk ribbon decoration, which sadly has deteriorated and has perished in several areas, especially to the waistband of the belt. Its minor flaws aside, the dress displays beautifully and is truly the perfect example of a Victorian summer dress.

Approximate measurements

Bust - 33 inches

Waist - 23 inches

A very beautiful iridescent blue figured silk bodice, which was worn by Almena Elisabeth Betts after her wedding on 7th September 1855 as part of her “going away dress.”

The bodice has a pleated fan front, flared sleeves, and a peplum trimmed with fringe. The back opening fastens with silk buttons and cord loops. There is a hook that fastens down the front of the bodice, which is concealed under the pleated fullness.

Included with the bodice is Almena’s monogrammed trousseau handkerchief.

The bodice is in excellent condition for its age; the silk is bright and strong. Some of the button loops of the back fastening have come loose towards the top of the opening.

Approximate Measurements:

Bust: 33 inches

Waist: 25 inches