2490🌟Antique 1800s Victorian Factory-made Burial Gown Garment Shroud Plague Doctor

Now this is something Id never guess in a million years that would be in vintage clothing I would acquire. Afterall, something like this- if it was used by a doctor during a plague or disease house call, would have tossed it, and if someone used it for a home funeral- well, it would be in the ground.

While researching this unusual garment I learned all about early lab coats, “plague doctors” who would call when nobody else would because they would flee— and then burial shrouds or gown or garments.

I read that during the Victorian era, death was around every corner. Even young girls working on hand stitching their bridal trousseaus would make their burial gown- because marriage at that time meant going to an early grave, and women would even keep them under the bed or lay it out when she would go into labor.

If someone lacked the skill or luxury of ladies maids, well, you could order just about anything you’d need to host a home parlor funeral wake from a visit to the local undertaker or simple the Sears & Roebuck catalog. Remember those “wish Books’ you’d get your hands on at Christmastime? They carried everything and in the 1800s when they first made the catalog- they carried E V E R Y T H I N G. You could buy a kit to build a house, a plow, a piano, sterling silver everything, kids toys, breast pads and yes, they even had a burial department. Caskets to embalming stuff, to shrouds, clothes, laces ribbons guest books the whole 9.

Recently I purchased a “lot of 1900s clothing” from a northern Missouri estate near the Kentucky border. There was a trunk unearthed in the basement containing clothes- and this “one size” black medical gown looking thing. But the back was not open like they are now. It was a standard seemingly one size- 48” long from under the armpit, standard 8” wide sleeves that are gathered at the wrist. With a wide simple boat neck. While obviously unused, it does show some signs of about 150years passing. Ive taken lots of photos. If you add a balaclava , hat, gloves and a mask shaped like a beak, you could dress like the plague doctors of the 1700s. Or, dress mamma who didn’t make it, by gently dressing her in this simple dress, tucking it in around her, adding some lace netting and a few lilies- voila, instant funeral.

Museum worthy, display worthy- I don’t know if Id recommend wearing it as it is old and despite being sturdy, it is starting to split.

Besides this outfit, there are handmade Ayrshire embroidery night gowns, corset covers and a high neck blouse. A black silk victorian skirt with petticoat, some fabulous hand knitted socks and a pair of black silk stockings. Nothing was more recent that around 1910s.

Measurements in the photos.

Unlaundered. As found. Age toned.

Review all the photos carefully, and when in doubt reach out with questions you may have. Remember vintage and antique items are not returnable.

Ask me anything— and please, make a cup of joe and enjoy this wonderful piece of history. I think it will take weeks to get through them all- I do have to press a couple things.

Stay tuned since I have several more treasures from this well preserved box of goodies.

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You might wonder, why, if I have all these wonderful linens, would I lump them all up into lots? Well folks, last year I celebrated 30 years of antiques dealing. I started off in my 20s because I “needed a hobby”- and having just moved from Southern California to rural Michigan, well, I was bored and really feeling culture shock going from a big city to the farmland. I was the director of advertising at the local newspaper but wanted more than just my new garden. In the 1880s downtown district someone had converted an old Woolworth’s dime store into an antique mall— so i went in and chatted with the new owner! They were new to the business just a bit older than I was. I rented a booth and was hooked. That was during a time of rural estate and farm auctions- outside, with several callers, an Amish food truck and just so much junk to go through. I would spend every weekend hauling old stuff home to carefully clean and put in my little booth. Which turned to 2 booths. Then the entire basement. Then to 2 booths in a nearby mall. Then ebay came along. (I can tell you about the pioneer days of ebay- and you kids are benefitting the impossible work from us pioneers that makes ebay the giant in the game it is today. There was no clicking a few buttons on your phone- heck, we didn’t have cell phones. The internet was new. So it was a film camera, scanner and learning to write code. Windows had just come out.)

Ive had several careers, started a manufacturing company which put me in front of some of the nation’s biggest buyers in the gift industry. But nothing has been more fun and exciting than my little business here at home.

Last year, I suffered a catastrophic neurological event that has turned my world upside down. I had to move, but brought all the boxes of inventory Ive amassed to my new place. It’s my passion. Now it’s time to winnow it out so that another young person like myself can piece them out, do tiny repairs, boil buckets of hot water, and sit and iron for an entire afternoon. My body just can do it anymore.

Im certainly not going to stop buying, or even selling, but I am going to loosen then hoard into something more manageable. So here’s to you, the next generation of linen’s dealers. I loved buying it all.

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GENERALLY…

NOTE: Bear in mind, all of my offerings came from an estate usually from the midwest or the Colonial states. All have been stored in their respective homes, boxes, bins, attics, trunks or basements (or even a barn or two) for years- not at my home. While I don’t mind musty and/old smells, there might be from time to time and Ive become quite nose-blind to it having dealt in this type of business for over 30 years now. I have no idea who these previous owners were (unless I actually do and will include all info I am able), how they lived, whether they smoked, had 10 cats or 9 children. I know where it came from. All I really know is that I buy really old stuff which has probably lived with several households during it’s life- and now, it’s ready to go home with someone else! I think that’s so cool.

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I had a customer once scold me for taking the fun out of vintage linens by soaking and pressing them. And to leave them as found as it’s part of the fun for a buyer to bring such beauties back to life. So that’s what I do. You get them exactly as they came out of the estate. With age toning and sometimes spots.

Holes - if too large I save for a cutter lot. They are usually always shown. Most just need a good soak and pressing. Or can be used in and for projects.

Finally… lol…I will continue to list more gorgeous antique christening gowns, petticoats, dresses and embroidered accessories.

Ask questions- have fun, and make a cup o’joe and do some window shopping!…. There’s always more fun stuff in my linens and lace hoard!