Images(5)

Pattern, Clothes

Object number94.57.1 a-d

Manufacturer Cornwell's

Manufacturer Willett Cornwell

Date1870-1879

MediumCardboard; Paper; Ink

Credit LineHeinz History Center Collection

DescriptionBrown paper envelope used to send out dress patterns. Has lengthy description of product and space for address. Colorful cardboard chart with holes for measuring and cutting out the front waist of a dress. The holes show sizes for women and children and there are many instructions and artwork. Colorful cardboard chart with holes and with similar artwork and directions as chart (Part b). Is for cutting back waist of dress. Plain chart for measuring and cutting sleeves with lengthy (see manual file).DimensionsLength x Width (a): 16 × 6.5 in. (40.6 × 16.5 cm)
Length x Width (b): 19 × 16 in. (48.3 × 40.6 cm)
Length x Width (c): 18.125 × 11 in. (46 × 27.9 cm)
Length x Width (d): 22.5 × 9.5 in. (57.2 × 24.1 cm)
Marks(a)
Front has text: "CORNWELL'S / IMPROVED / Self-Fitting SYSTEM OF DRESSCUTTING. Emporium / ...Chicago / ... / WILLETT CORNWELL."

(b)
Front has text:
"CORNWELL'S / IMPROVED / SELF-FITTING / CHART / FOR / CUTTING / LADIES, MISSES ND CHILDRENS / DRESSES / CLOAKS, BASQUES & POSTILLIONS. / PRINCIPAL OFFICE / ... / CHICAGO U.S.A."

Front has text:
"TRADE MARK / PATENTED, / Feb. 11th 1873."

Front has text:
"...ENGRAVER. / Entered according to Act of Congress, in 1876, by WILLETT / CORNWELL, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, / Washington, D.C."
Label TextCornwell’s Self-fitting System of Dresscutting promised to be valuable to dressmakers and home seamstresses. Included in the packaging for these patterns is a solicitation for lady agents to go into business selling the charts.

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