Antique Wrapper - questioning fabric and if repro antique?

[DaisyandStella]

Hi - I have an antique? wrapper dress but the condition and color of the fabric seems out of place to be truly antique. I also haven't seen a bright pink print like this in any antique fabrics so I'm hoping someone can shed a light on this for me. The cotton has soft flannel backing - which I've also shown. The inner bodice resembles that of a true antique, however, it is stamped with a 36 I assume for size and another number that I'm not sure what it's for. I'd love to hear some input as I just can't quite believe it's a true antique. Possibly a re-creation in the 1970s using an antique pattern? But then again, why would it be stamped?

 

[Avantbo]

Hi,

Lovely, I think it for theatrical purposes, from a pattern, I think you are right, 70s, it might-might be a little earlier.

It's not 361 but 381 I think?, I can see some extra faded lettering.

I have no idea why it's stamped if home made but its well made.

It's possible I suppose the lining is reused from something else, a way of antiquing an item or off the original bolt but it is not a bale number.

Just Lovely.

EDIT, it is also possible it is the work of a talented fashion student.

 

[DaisyandStella]

Hi,

Lovely, I think it for theatrical purposes, from a pattern, I think you are right, 70s, it might-might be a little earlier.

It's not 361 but 381 I think?, I can see some extra faded lettering.

I have no idea why it's stamped if home made but its well made.

It's possible I suppose the lining is reused from something else, a way of antiquing an item or off the original bolt but it is not a bale number.

Just Lovely.

EDIT, it is also possible it is the work of a talented fashion student.

Thank you. I believe the stamp actually says Size 36 and above is also stamped something with I believe the numbers 362 or 382 after it. I cannot decipher the first part.

 

[denisebrain]

The first part looks like Lot 382

 

[Jonathan]

Looks completely authentic to me. The calico print, the Bishop sleeve, the inner structure - these are all in line with a c. 1901 date. Wrappers were mass produced, which the production number and size 36 attest to. For a theatrical piece, I doubt very much that the inner lining would be so intricate. We have 4 wrappers in the collection from this period and there is nothing about this one that isn't in line with features on ours.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

That fabric is stunning! What a beautiful example.

 

[Midge]

This is gorgeous ! I have no experience with such garments, but my thought was, why put in that lining if it were modern or a theatrical piece.

 

[Avantbo]

This is gorgeous ! I have no experience with such garments, but my thought was, why put in that lining if it were modern or a theatrical piece.

Because as you will know with theater costumes its string and glue which this piece is most certainly not, but that doesn't prevent it from being theatrical.

It's certainly 1900s style but not sure this costume is from that era, it does come across as pattern made, I think the majority of the material used is much later then that.

Having gone to the trouble of doing such a good job it is unlikely the maker would have reused scrap material for the lining but I have seen this done for various reasons.

If authentic 1900s it would be an almost immaculate example of one.

It is very lovely.

 

[DaisyandStella]

Because as you will know with theater costumes its string and glue which this piece is most certainly not, but that doesn't prevent it from being theatrical.

It's certainly 1900s style but not sure this costume is from that era, it does come across as pattern made, I think the majority of the material used is much later then that.

Having gone to the trouble of doing such a good job it is unlikely the maker would have reused scrap material for the lining but I have seen this done for various reasons.

If authentic 1900s it would be an almost immaculate example of one.

It is very lovely.

Thank you - the mint nature of it had me questioning it although the techniques ans structure all point towards antique.

 

[DaisyandStella]

Looks completely authentic to me. The calico print, the Bishop sleeve, the inner structure - these are all in line with a c. 1901 date. Wrappers were mass produced, which the production number and size 36 attest to. For a theatrical piece, I doubt very much that the inner lining would be so intricate. We have 4 wrappers in the collection from this period and there is nothing about this one that isn't in line with features on ours.

Thank you Jonathan! This definitely helps - I was only questioning the minty condition of the fabric as the technique and construction is spot on for that time period.

 

[Avantbo]

Thank you - the mint nature of it had me questioning it although the techniques ans structure all point towards antique.

I may well be wrong and hope I am but honestly don't think it antique--of the period, I do think it early then later vintage.

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

This might be off base, but I was wondering if the 36 stamp is for the inner bodice lining and not the garment itself. While these were produced and sold, say, in early catalogs, the wholesalers and retailers who put out the catalogs did have in-house seamstresses and workers who often would put together the garments from the customers measurements and information. So they had these inner linings pre made and sorted / stamped by size, and would reach for the needed size to insert into any number of garments which required a bodice liner.

Might not be the case, but it seems plausible to me.

 

[DaisyandStella]

This might be off base, but I was wondering if the 36 stamp is for the inner bodice lining and not the garment itself. While these were produced and sold, say, in early catalogs, the wholesalers and retailers who put out the catalogs did have in-house seamstresses and workers who often would put together the garments from the customers measurements and information. So they had these inner linings pre made and sorted / stamped by size, and would reach for the needed size to insert into any number of garments which required a bodice liner.

Might not be the case, but it seems plausible to me.

That makes sense to me Barbara. I haven't measured her yet but will do an inner bodice measurement separate from the outer garment. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[Nancylou]

Omg! That is so darling. I love those little clovers! What a find. You will run across Edwardian items (and older) in beautiful condition.
It just was barely used (or not) and carefully stored.