Old Rags

Music sheet cover for The Orange Blossom, ca 1850

Music sheet cover for The New Bloomer Polka, 1851

I wonder how many women actually wore them?

Music sheet cover Clara Schottische by J Brandard, ca 1857-62, Spellman Collection of Victorian Music Covers

Music sheet cover Genevieve: valse à deux temps by J Brandard, 1850’s, Spellman Collection of Victorian Music Covers

Dancing Girl by Spanish School (attributed), ca 1850’s Spain, Laing Art Gallery

She was born with fingers on only one hand but was brave enough to pursue a career in Flamenco dancing.  Such an inspirational story.

Portrait of Josephine Bowes by Louis William Desanges (attributed), ca 1852-60 England, the Bowes Museum

I love all of it except the skin.  It might just be my screen but it looks all muddy and gross.

Mule, ca 1855 (doesn’t seem right to me), London College of Fashion

Shoes, 1855-65 England (London), Victoria & Albert Museum

Wedding dress, 1858 United States (North Carolina), the North Carolina Museum of History

Worn on Cool Springs Plantation, which was built around 1832 and is still standing.

Design for an evening dress, 1850-55, MFA Boston

Wedding or evening dress and shawl, ca 1854 United States, MFA Boston