2856🌟Vtg Antique Victorian Figural Linen Damask Show Towel CROWN Coronet Fringe

Measurement Overall: 23”w x 46”

Fringe 5” hand knotted incl

Few marks from handling

Today I have a fine lineup of antique linen damask show towels. Unlaundered.

All from 1876-1900- are unused, unlaundered and amazingly age toned to a golden tan. What’s nice is that the fringes are still as they were when purchased. Would be great framed - on a washstand, or do what i do and hang them from a rod on the living room (I’m an “America” nut and have a commemorative original framed Gettysburg address dated 1909 (Lincoln’s 100th birthday) that was made with pen and ink at by a student of a rural school in Indiana and it was still hanging there when the school was torn down because of a fire. A student managed calligrafiti with the most gorgeous american eagle and the entire speech address penned by hand. It’s one of my treasures. Anyway, one of the many red work linen damask towels I own is hanging there. We call it the Lincoln bedroom - with all the red and flags and well, you know. Yay America! Lol

The towels are in a word- pretty neat. Lol 2 words. As found.

A couple from the first US World’s Fair- held in Philadelphia PA to commemorate the 100 yrs anniversary of the signing of the declaration of independence.

These world’s fairs were hosted all over the world but each year was held someplace new- like the Olympics. And like the olympics, featured the most update built to order buildings, monuments erected just for the fair— which usually ran for about 6 months.

Noteable:

The first US World’s Fair was actually called the centennial exposition (1876). Over 10 million people visited. Remember the car wasn’t invented yet. Inventions featured were Graham Bells telephone. And These towels were sold as both souvenirs and to show the excellent linen weaving machines and techniques.

The WF in Chicago in 1893- was called the columbian exposition (400 yrs since Columbus discovered America) and featured all the inventions of our newly created Industrial age— steam ships trains etc.

And finally, the 1889 French Paris World’s Fair gave us the Eiffel Tower. Each fair literally built a small city on 500 or so acres and after it was over, like the olympics, the custom built exhibition buildings stayed in place.

I know my paraphrasing of these amazing events might be remiss in the details, but you get the gist. Please, if you are a world’s fair buff, I appreciate your passion and respect your hobby— Ive only been into them for the fine linens and ribbons that were distributed during the event!— so im not that versed in the details— I have always been amazed and when they are mentioned either in film (Meet me in St Louis) or even Netflix (Victoria) - Im always so surprised at the detailed engineering that went into putting these things together.

No holes. There is some age toning from exposure to the air and storage.

Marks from handling over the past 150+ years.

Probably never used.

Measurements in the photos.

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The hanky fairy came for a visit in yesterday’s mail!!! WHA?!? I know right. 160 gorgeous, presorted, folded and CLEAN Vintage designer, novelty, floral print and embroidered handkerchiefs. Ive gone through them, resorted, separated what needs to be in a “lot” - what needs to be sold separately— and the “save til Christmas” ones. Im gonna start tomorrow- Sunday 8/16. See you then!

Enjoy!

Lori

Review all the photos carefully, and when in doubt reach out with questions you may have. Remember artist, 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!

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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.

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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!