2762🌟Antique Victorian Handmade Peach Silk Lingerie Corset Cover with dressmakers marks

Authentic antique corset cover that dates from the Late Victorian to the Edwardian era (circa 1890-1915).

Generously sized, peach silk fabric. With hand stitched fagoting and button holes. I did string bias tape to show how it’s supposed to be worn. There were no original ribbons when I acquired it.

I’ve had it several years knocking around in my lace bins. I recently finally strung the twill tape and tried it on Betty. It’s a bit larger than she is and if she were wearing a pigeon breast corset- this would look amazing.

* Era (1890s-1910s): The low-cut, strapless, or wide neckline style with an adjustable pull-string channel grew highly popular during this time to accommodate the "pouter pigeon" and low-necked gowns of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras.

*

* Material Clues: Antique silk undergarments from this time are much rarer than standard white cotton varieties. The use of a woven dot pattern (rather than printed) implies higher-end historical construction.

*

* Fasteners: Look at the buttons. This is a True period piece using tiny, carved mother-of-pearl buttons.

What an incredible find! Those faint lines are dressmaker guidelines used to mark out the placement before hand-cutting and stitching the buttonhole.

Finding these marks intact means the garment is likely deadstock (unworn, unwashed antique inventory).

I do believe Betty is the only “person” who has worn this beautiful garment.

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.

Let me know if you plan to bundle anything so I can send a combined invoice to save on shipping.

Have fun!

—————-

NOTE:

First- Betty’s measurements.

Bust- 36”

waist- 26”

Hip at the widest point- 36”

From the top of her shoulder to the floor she stands 54-1/2” high.

_______

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.

_______________

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.

______

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!