Victorian Hercules Supporting Corset—Looking for add'l info!

[findingmywayback2me]

Hi everyone. I'm hoping someone can help me identify the pictured corset—It's been in my collection for several years, but the only history I've located is the included newspaper advertisement. It's a Hercules Supporting Corset & it was patented on November 19, 1878. I've also shared it on the Antiquer's forum, but I wasn't able to obtain any solid info. I initially believed it to be a salesman sample due to its petite size, but I also recently learned that girls started wearing corsets in early childhood—A few individuals also mentioned the possibility of it being a wasp waist corset. Opened & laid out, it's approximately 14". Any & all insight is greatly appreciated!

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

That is a nice one! What is the information you are seeking? How long is it? It does look like salesman's sample corsets I have handled in the past. While some young girls wore a corset, I do not think they would need a supporting corset. Also, until adolescence, girls really did not have curves, a defined waist or hips. Childen's corsets were pretty much straight like their bodies. Yours has a very defined bust area which to me rules out this being for child.

While do not give appraisals, I can say that this has a very good value and there are a lot of collectors who would go nuts for this one.