April 2006 Vintage Clothing & Textile Auction

  • April 7th and 8th, 2006
  • New Hope, PA

The second auction of Denver Art Museum’s historic clothing de-accession was held on April 7th & 8th, 2006 .  Rounding out this sale were de-accessions from the Maine Historical Society, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Kent State University, other major institutions together with select consignments from a few remarkable estates and private collections. In addition, we sold a collection per order of the Trustees of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to benefit their Acquisition Fund. 

In addition to the huge volume of items cataloged for this two-day auction, we scheduled our second "Discovery Sale" for Friday evening, immediately following the Session 1 cataloged sale. Thousands of un-cataloged 19th-20th C garment & textile treasures were offered to the highest bidder.

Session 1 - Friday April 7th, 2006, 10AM

Textiles, Linens, Laces, Beaded Bags, Fans, Parasols, & Children’s Clothing.

Highlights included Mariska Karaz’s Phoenix Tapestry; a 4th C. woven Coptic figure; quantities of antique fabrics; 18th C embroideries & brocades, including chasubles; an astounding collection of handmade laces; export & paisley shawls; fine bed & table linens; unusual Turkomen tent bag; Turkish embroideries; silk damask & brocade curtain panels; lace wedding hankies; a large volume of New World weavings; generous trim lots; children’s & infant clothing to include heirloom christening gowns, party dresses, 19th C. calico dresses, bonnets, shoes, etc.

Discovery Sale - Friday Evening immediately after Session 1 cataloged sale.

Session 2 - Saturday April 8th, 2006, 10AM

Women’s & Men’s Clothing & Accessories, w/ an extensive collection of Wedding Gowns & Related Accessories, Fashion Prints, Ephemera & Display Racks.

Highlights included a rare 1927 Ballets Russes costume; a 1930s Chanel lace evening gown; two 19th C. Worth dresses; a Norell mermaid dress; a 1920s Molyneux beaded evening gown; 17th C lady’s shoes; early 19th C ball gowns; mid to late 19th C afternoon gowns; 19th & 20th C. handmade lace wedding gowns & wedding veils; lame, beaded & sequined flapper dresses; collection of jeweled 1920s heels; 1930s bias cut evening gowns & printed chiffons; collection of hand-painted 40s crepe blouses; 1940s-1960s day & evening wear; 20th C designer garments including Norell, Beene, Galanos, Balmain, Chanel, Dior, Blass, Mainbocher, Lesser, Carnegie, etc.; exquisite silk lingerie & volumes of ladies whites; gents 19th & early 20th C suits, 1853 top hat w/ leather case; trade lots of collarless shirts & boxes of collars; generous shoe, stocking, glove & hat lots; rare 18th C framed fashion prints; large mirrored hat display, etc.

Sale Condition Key

Pristine:
Near perfect. No evidence of wear. No visible flaws.
Excellent:
Gentle wear or minor damage, easily repairable.
Good:
Garment is sound. Visible repair or in need of repairs.
Fair:
Significant evidence of wear or damage.
Poor:
No longer intact. Useable for salvage or recycling parts