Rare, unusual and interesting antique costumes and textiles; for museums and collectors looking for that extra special piece, for new and established collectors and for those with a modest budget who want to adorn their person or home.

SOLD

Travelling Pocket
Mid 19th c

Very unusual for an intrepid woman traveller!  Probably made by the lady herself.


Cataloguing

for a lady, of strong light brown cotton, the waistband with two buttonholes, a V flap stitched down just above the opening, all hand stitched, 18 in. d x 6 at waistband and 11 1/2 at base, an ink written brown paper label says Pocket worn by ladies under their skirts when travelling abroad. Hand made. and an unreadable name.


Condition

Very good. There is a fairly unoticeable small stain on the front and a larger one on the reverse.


Comments

Not visually so lovely, but a most intresting piece. The stitching is not very straight which adds to its charm. She knew it would not be seen under her crinoline frame or petticoats and did not spend a lot of time making it. In The History of Underclothes" by C Willett and Phillis Cunnington in the section 1857-66 Women, they mention that in 1857 patent safety railway pockets 1/6d' were advertised 'an article often used by travellers up to the end of the century.