Feeling very uninspired to sew anything (especially the 1890s dress I need for the first week of June), so I figure I can at least help inspire others. In November on a trip to Manhattan, I came across a store called Pageant Print Shop. They sell old prints on every topic imaginable from various sources. I immediately found the Costume and Fashion section, and proceeded to spend an hour deciding which prints I couldn’t live without. (The correct answer is all of them, but my wallet disagreed with me).

The store claims these are all originals. I somewhat wince at the idea that these were taken out of a magazine, rather than leaving the magazine whole, but since it’s too late for that they will certainly look lovely framed in my sewing room.

The prints were displayed in a plastic sleeve backed by cardboard, which meant I only saw one side. Several of these turned out to have a delightful surprise when I opened them – a front and back! Cause you know, pages in a magazine. Duh. Now I have to make the incredibly difficult decision of which side to display in the frames.

1850s hand colored engraving

Text: December 1856 (can’t read the name on the right)

I just finished a Victorian gown, but if I ever get the inclination to make a new one, pink satin plus black lace makes a very compelling argument.

Le Moniteur De La Mode Hand Colored Engraving

Text: I gave up squinting at French, but a commenter graciously figured it out! Check it out below.

Ladies Outdoor Toilette. Publication Unknown.

Text: Figure No. 55P. – This Illustrates Ladies’ Outdoor Toilette. – The patterns are Ladies’ Eton Jacket No. 3018, price 10d. or 20 cents; and Skirt No. 3060, price 1s or 25 cents. (Described on page 134.)

How amazing is the tulip skirt over ruffles! And the flower print! And the soutache on the jacket! Everything about this makes me giddy.

Ladies Princess Dress. Publication unknown. (This was a bonus, as it was the unseen backside of the previous picture!)

Text: Figure No. 56P – This illustrates Ladies’ Princess Dress. – The pattern is No. 3052, price 1s. or 25 cents. (Described on page 134.)

Did I say the last one made me giddy? This one makes me positively swoon. Don’t you wish we had page 134 to see the description?

Handome Street Toilettes. September 1900, the Delineator

Text: Handsome Street Toilettes. The Delineator. Described on page 303. September, 1900.

Classy seaside outfits. I really like the stitched pleats on the left skirt.

A Stylish Waist and Toilette. September 1900, The Delineator. (another bonus on the back of the previous image! I like this one slightly better, so it gets to be displayed in the picture frame)

Text: A Stylish Waist and Toilette. The Delineator. Described on pages 302 and 303. September, 1900

My favorite part is the 3 bows on the neck on the left, but alas my neck is completely un-swanlike (ahem short) so doubt I’ll be making this. I’ve stared at the whole top, but not entirely sure how many items she is wearing/layering. Must do more research.

Early Autumn Tailor Styles. September 1900, The Delineator.

Text: Early Autumn Tailor Styles. The Delineator. Described on page 297. September, 1900

We’ve already determined that black lace on pink skirt = YES PLEASE. Also the triple stitched jacket on the left – I would wear that with jeans in a heartbeat.

Another bonus backside! This was on the back of the previous picture.

The editorial page of this issue of the magazine and the table of contents!! Too much text to include in this post, but I will type it up in a separate post. Social context ftw!

German Lexikon. 1908.

And for the last one, Germany sewing machine instructions. This was really just for fun to put in my sewing room.