Images(2)

Coat

Date1785-1795

MediumVicuna, Linen, Silk, Cotton

DimensionsOverall Center front: 42 inches Overall Center back: 41.5 inches Center back to vent: 20 inches Waist: 30.5 inches Chest: 38 inches

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2023-20

DescriptionDark green coat probably made from vicuna. The coat is fully lined in a yellow green twilled silk. Edges on the coat are all turned, unlike a typical broadcloth coat. The collar is in the stand and fall fashion with buckrum to stiffen the stand around the neck. Eyelets were worked down the center front and at the top and bottom of the pleats for metal buttons to be placed through, however those buttons are now missing and replaced with late 19th century examples. Behind the eyelets is a single layer of the green vicuna to protect the back of the buttons and to covers the fastening device. The coat closes with four welted buttons holes on the chest. Each of the cuffs is mounted with 2 buttons which sit overtop of the original eyelets for the metal buttons and have a cloth covered button and buttonhole running along the under-arm seam. The Order of Saint Stanislaus was affixed to the coat sometime post 1790. The order was made on pasteboard or layers of paper which shows inked drawings to indicate the pattern the embroiderer was to follow. The central motifs made from a silvered disc with the royal monogram set in garnets of “SAR” (Stanislaus Augustus Rex). Around the monogram embroidered is the motto “Praemiando Incitat” (encouraged by reward). Around the Latin phrase is a laurel wreath from which radiates out an eight-pointed star worked in spangles and bullion.

Construction History:

1. Initial Construction 1785-1790
2. Littlepage awarded the Order of Saint Stanislaus January 1790, the ornament added to the coat post this date.
3. Post 1850 buttons either removed and or added to the coat
Label TextLewis Littlepage had this coat made while in Europe out of an extremely fashionable vicuna wool fabric. Unlike sheeps wool, vicuna creates a very soft and velvet like feel when woven and finished.

Lewis Littlepage (1762-1802) was born in New Kent County, Virginia. Littlepage attended the College of William and Mary and later served with John Jay at the Court of Spain during the American Revolution. Due to problems with debt, he served with the Spanish Army during the attack on Minorca and the Seige of Gilbraltar. By 1786 he was admitted to the Court of Poland where he served as a Chamberlain to King Stanislaw II until 1795. With war raging across Europe and 2nd pariition of Poland, Lewis was forced to leave the Court and finally returned home to Virginia in 1801.
MarkingsTape label with illegible inscription but probably read Holladay like several other tags found in Littlepage garments.
ProvenanceThis garment was worn by Lewis Littlepage (1762-1802) who was born in New Kent County, Virginia. Littlepage died in 1802, leaving his small estate to his stepbrother Waller Holladay. The surviving objects passed directly through the Holladay Family until gifted to the Valentine Museum in 1952 by Mr. and Mrs. A. Randolph Holladay II. In 2022, the objects were transferred to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Upon his death in 1802 several inventories were taken that may have noted this garment.

"List of cloathes belonging to Lewis Littlepage taken from the information of Jacob David Wacker, August 16, 1802: 1 coat with a star to wear in winter at court"

"Particular list of cloathes found in the trunk of Lewis Littlepage, August 16, 1802...1 dark green coat with a star"

"List of clothes formerlly the property of my brother Lewis Littlepage decd. taken 31st Janaury 1804...2 Vigogne (French for viunca) coats (court dress)