Images(4)

Shirt

Object number2015.80.1 a,b

Manufacturer R.J. Toomey Company (founded 1936)

Date1952

OriginUnited States of America

MediumPolyester/Cotton/Ink/Thread/Plastic

Credit LineGift of Estate of Donald W. McIlvane

DescriptionBlack short-sleeve clerical shirt with white plastic tab collar insert.Dimensions(a) Length 31.25, Width 37.25;
(b) Height 1.375, Width 7.938, Depth .063.
Inscriptions(a)
White label inside collar at center has blue embroidered logo at the left and text at the right "Summer Comfort / CLERICAL COLLAR SHIRT / by R.J. TOOMEY Co. / MADE IN U.S.A."; black stamped text over label "BOCCARDI"; small white fabric tag hangs from bottom of label at center and has black embroidered text "16 1/2".

White fabric tag inside shirt at bottom of proper left side seam has black printed text on one side with care instructions and black stamped text on other side "65% POLYESTER / 35% COTTON / 4182".

(b)
Raised text on one side "COMFORT COLLAR / R.J. TOOMEY / CLEANSE WITH SOAP & WATER".
Marks(a)
White label inside collar at center has blue embroidered logo at the left and text at the right "Summer Comfort / CLERICAL COLLAR SHIRT / by R.J. TOOMEY Co. / MADE IN U.S.A."; black stamped text over label "BOCCARDI"; small white fabric tag hangs from bottom of label at center and has black embroidered text "16 1/2".

White fabric tag inside shirt at bottom of proper left side seam has black printed text on one side with care instructions and black stamped text on other side "65% POLYESTER / 35% COTTON / 4182".

(b)
Raised text on one side "COMFORT COLLAR / R.J. TOOMEY / CLEANSE WITH SOAP & WATER".
Historical NotesClerical shirt used by Father Donald W. McIlvane. Father McIlvane (1925-2014) was a local Catholic priest who dedicated his life to civil rights and social justice issues in both Pittsburgh and internationally. Born in New York City, he moved to Pittsburgh with his family and attended high school in Mt. Lebanon. He served in WWII and later attended St. Vincent Seminary and was ordained in 1952 at St. Paul Cathedral. He served parishes in the Hill District, East Liberty, and Midland as well as serving as Chaplain to the Sisters of Divine Providence. Martin Luther King, Jr., had a great influence on him and he traveled to Selma, Alabama, in 1965 to support King's march there. During his life he had been an active voice against apartheid and was honored to be one of the official monitors in 1994 for the first post-apartheid election that made Nelson Mandela President.

Previous owner Father Donald W. McIlvane (1925 - 2014)

Related institution Saint Vincent Seminary

Related institution Sisters of Divine Providence

Related person Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968)

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