Costume, Dress-Up

Object number2016.132.1 a-e

Datec. 1957

OriginPittsburgh, PA

MediumSatin; Fabric; Metal; Buckram; Velvet; Paperboard; Ink; Adhesive tape

Credit LineGift of Mel Dougherty

DescriptionMajorette Halloween costume consisting of dress, hat, pair of boot tops, and the original box.DimensionsHeight x Width (a - width is between shoulder seams): 29.25 × 13.5 in. (74.3 × 34.3 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b -approximate): 8 × 8 × 8 in. (20.3 × 20.3 × 20.3 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (c): 11.938 × 7 × 0.375 in. (30.3 × 17.8 × 1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (d): 11.938 × 7 × 0.375 in. (30.3 × 17.8 × 1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (e - approximate): 13.5 × 18 × 4.75 in. (34.3 × 45.7 × 12.1 cm)
Inscriptions(e)
Handwritten in red ink near the majorette image is "ALSO / Gypsie / Outfit".
Marks(e)
Both faces of box have text "SUPERB / HALCO / BRAND / FOR FUN AROUND THE CLOCK / Dream World / PLAY CLOTHES / Made in United States / J. HALPERN COMPANY Pittsburgh, Pa. / America's Leading Creator of Masquerade Costumes".
Historical NotesJ. Halpern Company majorette costume worn by the donor Mel Dougherty for Halloween in 1957. The J. Halpern Company, a toy company that manufactured and distributed Halloween costumes, masks, toy holster sets, cap pistols, and the firing caps, was started in 1946, by Julius Halpern a banker and prominent member of the Jewish community in Pittsburgh. Halpern & Company were especially known for their cap guns. Julius Halpern was chairman of the board and president of the Washington Trust Company and was known, especially in the Jewish community, for giving loans for small businesses when other banks would not. Halpern, a native of Austria, emigrated in 1907, at age 16 to Brooklyn, but made his way to Pittsburgh in 1908. By 1910, he had started a business selling general merchandise wholesale. Post World War 1, he imported toys from Germany and then manufactured fireworks and imported them from China. Around 1930, what was called the J. Halpern Company began manufacturing masks and costumes.

Related person Julius Halpern

Subjects

Terms

On View

Not on view