Check out this amazing "Gayrock" Guaranteed Clothing (Kohn Brothers) sampler guide from the Spring and Summer of 1902 Chicago, featuring swatches of fabric for Victorian era, fine wear, gentlemanly suits. That is, this is what the book is for the first half anyway, then you get to about the middle and it suddenly turns into someone's fascinatingly slap-dash scrapbook, full of antique clippings and other assorted illustrated ephemera and odds 'n ends. The colorful M-Born & Company calendar spread is quite beautiful, and that floaty ram's head at the finale below, coincidentally enough, reminds me that I need to pick up my cult robe from the tailors. I say, blade snags at the 'ol alter of sacrifice are so bothersome!
This is a pleasant look into a time that is no more, but considering what it must have felt to wear a summer suit during a heatwave, I am glad we have moved on, fashion wise.
ReplyDeleteThe least inexpensive suit offered per lot 4104 for $6.50, that might seem cheap to us today, but back then it would be the equivalent to over $200 now! Inflation, the silent thief of wealth.
The scrap book clippings were nice to see, not only are they a glimpse into images popular back then, but what were favorites of the original owner of this book. It kind of gives us an idea into the thinking and viewpoint of the original owner.
Thanks for the post of this book printed one year before The Wright Brothers took to the air in their flying machine.
Oh man, both these things are so great. The catalog itself is a wonderful relic (I kind of wish you had a second one, with all the pages intact), but the mind map of the contemporary owners in the back is a one-of-a-kind treasure. That's just a super duper glimpse into some distant intellect.
ReplyDeleteSweet find.
All this says to me is thank the dark lord below that we are passed the day where we all had to wear hats!
ReplyDeleteAll those fabrics look really thick and really cumbersome. And you have to wear a full suit in summer?
Again: I'm glad I live now!