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Materials: Very fine black silk faille, fabric covered
buttons, metal hooks and eyes, black wool hem tape, brown glazed cotton
lining..
Condition: Excellent, near
perfect. One tiny rip and stain on the waistband under the bodice
closure.
Measurements: Sh-Sh, 19";
Sh-W, 12.5"; B, 36"; W, 26"; Dress L, 55"; Slv L,
21"; Hem C, 135".
Comments: After the early 1860s
dress bodices were cut straight at the waist and worn with a double
seamed coat sleeve. Due to war shortages, trimmings were often simple
and somewhat severe. All finish seams on this unaltered Civil War era
dress are hand sewn; the piecing seams are machine done. skirt details
include a deep interior pocket on the right side and a 4" section of
cartridge pleating at center back. The only ornamentation on this somber
mourning dress is found on the sleeves. Both at the sleeve top and the
cuff are box pleated bands of the same black silk fabric as the dress.
This dress was bought in New England; unfortunately, no family
provenance was available. One can't help but wonder if this dress was
worn to mourn a loved one felled by the war between the states.
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