A very detailed manuscript inventory in a single hand on three pages, two columns each, listing articles of “wearing apparel and other things” of Mrs. Ann Bamford: gowns, bonnets, stays, hoops, caps, shoes, handkerchiefs, aprons, tippets, pockets, cloaks, bonnets, shawls, gloves, petticoats, etc. The type of material and color are often included in the description as well.
- Title: Inventory of wearing apparel and other things of the late Mrs. Bamford, circa 1780?
LWL Mss File 116+
Acquired July 2013
I’ve written about your post on my own blog today. This inventory is so intriguing – thank you so much for sharing it. Are the other two pages available anywhere on line as well? Very curious to see what else Mrs. Bamford had in her wardrobe!
http://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-many-clothes-did-18th-c-woman-own.html
Reblogged this on Tea Table Musings and commented:
Interested in getting a glimpse into one late eighteenth-century woman’s wardrobe? Mrs. Ann Bamford was apparently one very well-dressed woman, if the “Black Velvet Tippet” and “Goldlaced blue sattin cloak” are any indication.
Interest in Mrs. Bamford’s inventory continues to grow! My post on the Two Nerdy History Girls (http://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-many-clothes-did-18th-c-woman-own.html) was picked up over the weekend by the hugely popular blog Go Fug Yourself (http://www.gofugyourself.com/fugs-and-pieces-september-19th-2014-09-2014) If you’ve seen a big rise in your page views, they’re the reason why. May be the first time the Walpole Library has appeared on a snarky celebrity & fashion blog….What would Mrs. Bamford say? 🙂
Thanks to everyone for such an enthusiastic response to Mrs. Bamford’s wardrobe! We have updated the post with the additional images. Enjoy!!!
Hello! I’m a Norwegian historian and seamstress, and I’ve started recreating the garments mentioned in this inventory, and documenting the process on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvRnCKsBJzL_Q-rVV5nh7GKdbN6rKdt3I
Do you know anything more about Mrs. Bamford? I would love to get to know her better!