1920s beaded dress curious initials

[Jasmin Key]

In one of my beaded Flapper dresses I have found handwritten initials along the side seam.

They appear to be 'SAT' and 'ARG' and each is written twice in different places along the same seam.

I'm curious to know if anyone else has come across this?

 

[Pinkcoke]

Can you show where they are placed on the whole garment please?

My first impression is that they may be french abbreviations.

Also - there appears to be something else marked in the same ink after SAT in the top right of your photo.

 

[Jasmin Key]

Hi Melanie,

I don't think there is anything else by SAT on the actual dress, I think my phone just caught it that way. However I've just taken it outside into daylight and I can see the other side seam has the markings. One area is hard to see but appears it *might* be numbers.

Full dress with asterisk to denote marked areas


Close ups of letters


Possible numbers... or more of the above

 

[Pinkcoke]

I believe it is indicating where the different coloured beads are to be sewn - ARG being short for Argent - Silver. SAT possibly for Satin white? (Satin being the same in French and English)

When you first posted I had thought of Argent immediately - but dismissed it because it generally means money, not silver!

 

[Jasmin Key]

Oh, of course! That makes perfect sense for the design. Thank you Melanie ☺

 

[Pinkcoke]

You are welcome, I think the numbers look like it says 2/3? Although looking at it from another angle, it might be another word.