That is the second best one I have ever seen. The best one was in a dealer's collection in Boston that I saw thirty years ago - it was from 1876 and done in a quasi-18th century, but fashionable 1876 style, made from fabric in red white and blue pinstripe silk, with Liberty bell brocaded ribbons. Even though I am Canadian I was REALLY interested, but the dealer had promised it to a collector in Michigan. Unfortunately, it got destroyed in a flood a few years later...
Oh, God...that stabs me in the heart. I have had a couple of vintage-fashion accidents that I will never get over and I kept the items to remind me to be more careful with my collection.
That is quite spectacular! That is also a sad story, Jonathan, pity you did not get to purchase the other it may well have been getting exhibited had it been in your care.
I don't remember ever reading about the John Bright Collection, from which the photos came, but if you click on the link, there are many other lovely collection items online.
Stunning but I am stuck on what in the World did the hat look like. It just had to have a feather in it. Quite fun and amazing.
