1940s/1950s Martha Phillips Beaded Suit

greatglenvintage

greatglenvintage

Registered Guest
Hello all - I am struggling to price this Martha Phillips suit. I know that you all do not do valuations/appraisals on here, so I'm wondering if anyone has seen this specific label before or seen anything similar to this suit? I know that Martha was a high end boutique that sold the likes of Galanos and Trigere and had celebrity/wealthy clients. This suit only has the Martha label and no designer label. In my research, I have not found anything comparable to this - with the Martha label at least. I've only mostly found 60s/70s/80s dress with either only the Martha label or with an additional designer label. Does anyone have any more info about her earlier labels/stores?

Also, I haven't listed this suit yet, but I have drafted it as 1940s. Do you all agree with that? It has small shoulder pads, but I know that those continued on into the 50s. I also know that this has to be at least late 40s because her Palm Beach store opened in 1945, but her Madison Ave. store closed in the mid-50s.

Thank you all for your help!

Edit: I can't seem to upload photos. I will post this and then try to upload them from my phone.
 
Photos.

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Late 40s sounds good, but that style dose bleed into the early 50s... 1948-1951 would be my suggestion. I find with many of those early salon labels that the designer name is not included - just the shop, but as designer names gain recognition and association with quality and good taste in the 1950s (primarily domestic designers, because French designers are recognized much earlier) the names begin to appear as second labels, often hidden in the skirts of formal gowns, but usually on the inside of the jacket front on suits.
 
Jonathan said:
Late 40s sounds good, but that style dose bleed into the early 50s... 1948-1951 would be my suggestion. I find with many of those early salon labels that the designer name is not included - just the shop, but as designer names gain recognition and association with quality and good taste in the 1950s (primarily domestic designers, because French designers are recognized much earlier) the names begin to appear as second labels, often hidden in the skirts of formal gowns, but usually on the inside of the jacket front on suits.
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Oh I’ve definitely turned it completely inside out to check for other labels haha, but the only other one is for Juilliard wool.
 
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