Waistcoat

Object Name:

Waistcoat

Object ID:

2002.023.04

Date:

1839-1845

Description:

Waistcoat. US Navy midshipman's uniform waistcoat. White cotton front, back and lining white linen. Single-breasted, front center lower than back and sides, pointed bottom in center. Two front pockets covered by flap, three small, circular buttonholes below pocket opening below flap. Nine button closure, gilt buttons with raised image of an eagle on an anchor surrounded by thirteen stars. Back of button copper-colored metal stamped: "SCOVILLS & CO. / EXTRA". Button shank passed through small, circular buttonhole and is held in place by brass ring. Collar folded over, but perhaps should be standing as there are metal hooks and eyes at the base and tips of the collar. Two sets of cloth ties on back. Bottom has pieces of linen starting at side seams and extending 4.5 inches toward center, cotton ties attached to ends. Top cotton ties are attached directly to back. Ties are of different weaves, one in each set is cotton twill the other is a very open plainweave. Written in ink on collar: "Timothy W. Fiske." Hand sewn.

Material:

Textile
Metal
Cotton
Linen

Dimensions:

W-15 L-18 inches

Provenance:

Part of the Perry-Dudley Family Archive and Shepard Collection. Worn by Timothy Walker Fisk (1820-1845) of Concord, NH. He was the brother of the donor's great-grandmother, Lucretia Morse Fisk Perry (b. 1826).

Buttons made by the Scovill Company of Waterbury, CT, 1840-1850.

Credit Line:

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Shepard, Jr., in memory of Mr. Shepard's mother and maternal grandmother

People:

Shepard, Henry B., Jr. (1927-2002), Fisk, Timothy W. (1820-1845)