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#9939
- c. 1906/07 RARE
Parisian
Fabulous Ermine and Lace Coat! With the Photo of the Original
Owner (Willie Mae Thompson Norfleet) Wearing the Coat! Wearable Size!
This coat comes directly from the
descendants of the woman in the photo.... the coat was stored for
all these years in the homestead and remains in surprisingly
Excellent condition!! There are only a few issues to speak
of... other than the missing crocheted button on the front (big
deal)... there is one spot on the lace on the lower back of the
coat, and the inner barely seen silk is shattering behind the lace
at the hemline (see photos). The silk lining is in great
condition (see photos), but the extremely delicate pleating chiffon
trim (which hardly ever survives!) was taped together. NOTE:
The coat was not meant to be worn full-length, but rather to about 7/8 length
over a gown, so imagine a gown peeking out the bottom. Until the 20th Century, ermine was reserved for royalty in Western
Europe seen on the coronation robes of royal and noble persons.
It symbolized purity, valor, justice and dignity. After that, only
the most wealthy could afford something this luxurious!! This
coat comes with the original image of Willie Mae wearing the coat,
and a typed 7-page family diary from 1894-1904 which describes the
constant trips to Europe and Paris... and even times when they
stayed with Royalty, and Willie Mae's sister Ada's address in NYC
which was the prestigious Central Park West. I'm attributing the coat
as a Parisian Designer Coat as it's nearly an absolute match to the
Parisian jacket I have listed below! And I know this family bought
most of their clothing from Paris. SOLD - but on display in
Museum
Category for Research/Study
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