Shirt

Object Name:

Shirt

Object ID:

2001.017.03

Creator:

Besse System Company -- Manufacturer

Place of Origin:

Springfield, MA

Date:

circa 1900

Description:

Shirt. Cream-colored silk and cotton blend with white linen strip inside right side of center front opening where buttons are attached. Plain front with partial closure, extra strip of material on edge with button holes, pointed at bottom, five white shell buttons. Wide cuffs with two button holes. Short opening in sleeves from inside cuff, reinforced with extra strip of material, pointed bottom as on front. Small white shell button on inside of sleeve. Shirt cut higher at hips, rounded bottom edge front and back. Short collar with button holes front and back to attach detachable collar. Label inside neck has trademark in blue: two standing lions with shield between them, a crown above the shield and the words "BESSE / SYSTEM" inside the shield. Label below with yellow lettering: "SUPER RADIUM / WASHABLE". Name "RALPH HOLT" written inside collar. "15 1/2-5-V" stamped inside collar. "SW 5151 SC / 15 1/2-35 62 / 710 K 126" stamped front left side near bottom.

Material:

Textile
Silk
Cotton
Linen

Dimensions:

W-19.5 L-31 inches

Provenance:

Ralph W. Holt of Nashua, NH (b.1883) was a building contractor. He served seven years in the NH National Guard and was chief trumpeter on the staff of General J. E. Tolles. He held ward and city offices, was a member of the Legislature of 1915 and a delegate to the 1918 NH Constitutional Convention.

Credit Line:

Gift of Mary McEvoy Barrett

People:

Holt, Ralph (1883-1937)