Shirt

Date1790-1820

Owned by Cora Ginsburg

OriginAmerica, New Jersey

MediumLinen

DimensionsL: 40" Fabric W: 28" (selvage to selvage)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1989-401

DescriptionMan's shirt of white linen has long sleeves, high (4") collar and original ironed patterns on the front ruffles and on the shirt front beneath. The shirt has a vent for the neck opening, 11" long, which is edged with 4" wide ruffles ironed with a decorative chevron patterns. A triangular patch reinforces bottom of vent. Above the neck opening a standing collar is attached, and closes with one button at its base. On the inside of the back fabric, at the collar line, there are 2 small patches of fabric (1 1/2" x 1 1/4") sewn along the collar seam. The sleeves are pressed in pleats and are finished with 2 3/4" cuffs which would fasten with one cuff link at the base of the cuff. The sleeves are constructed with 5" diamond shaped gussets set into the underarm seam to allow for greater movement. There are rectangular reinforcement panels (5 1/2" x 12 1/4") added to the front at the srmseye, and covering part of the front of the shirt. The shirt has 12" vents along the side seams. The vents are reinforced with small pieces of linen in crescent shapes, 1 1/4" wide. Over these are stitched two 3/4" x 2" rectangles of fabric for further strength. The interior seams along the sides are finished by the fabric selvages. The ruffles and bottom hem have been finished with a handkerchief hem. All construction of the shirt has been done with white thread. The seams and the hems have been secured with whip stitches at 17/inch. The buttonhole at the collar and the holes for cufflinks at the cuffs have been fiinished with a buttonhole stitch.
Markings"George Hullet" written in ink, near right bottom vent.