butterick sewing patterns 1880 ish

[savona rola]

Does anyone know the format and/or price of Butterick paper patterns as they were available to the public around 1880? Were they always sold singly in an envelope with an image of the outfit to be sewn printed on the envelope? And what did they cost? Were they available in stores or only through the mail?

 

[retro ruth]

Good question. All the Butterick patterns I've been able to find are Edwardian at the earliest.

Have you seen this history of Butterick on their site? Amongst other things, it says there was a Butterick shop in Paris in the 1870s.

If no-one here can answer you, I'm sure you could write to Butterick and ask for more details of their history.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Have you seen the Vintage Pattern Wiki? It has a page on Butterick.

 

[retro ruth]

It's a bit later, but I thought you'd be interested in this photo from 1908:

 

[claireshaeffer]

I sent the question to someone I know at McCall since they own Butterick. C

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

Ruth,

That photo is fantastic! I own some Butterick catalogs from the 1880s and 1890s, but do not accurately recall the prices. If my memory serves me, they were about 10 cents to 15 cents, with a few fancy ones being 25 cents. They are all stored away, and when I unearth any of them, I will post it here.

 

[MissRita]

Ruth, can you send me the link to that photo please? Would love to pin it.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I love old shop pics - Rita, if you want more, I blogged about a Perth, Western Australia department store called Boans - long gone of course - and some great pics, like this one from the '30s:

 

[retro ruth]

I found it on Pinterest actually, though it's originally from flicker. I've sent you a message with the link

 

[savona rola]

Huge thanks for everyone's help!

 

[MissRita]

Thanks Nicole and Ruth, always looking for great content!