Images(4)

Dress, Wedding

Object number2007.34.1 a-d

Date1897

MediumSatin; leather; lace; metal; elastic; velvet; cardboard; bone

Credit LineGift of Shirley Schmunk

DescriptionWedding dress consisting of bodice, skirt, and pair of gloves. Long sleeve bodice made of embroidered satin. Lace around neckline; trimmed in two rows of artificial pearls. Lace comes to a "V" in front and back. Decoratively folded material on shoulders over slightly puffed shoulders; satin bows beneath folded layer on both shoulders. Sleeve cuffs trimmed in lace and artificial pearls like neck. Boned inside. Metal loop hooks down back and on satin belt inside. Long beige satin bow at waist line, ribbons flow down below top. Floor-length, full skirt with slight train. Material same as bodice. Cotton lining. Elastic tan band inside, near open area where loop hooks located near top. Seams covered with outer material. Ruffled outside bottom hem. Velvet trim on inside bottom hem. Pair of gloves made of beige leather. Dimensions(a) Width at Shoulders--23; at Waist--12 ... Length--15.5; Length of Sleeves--20 ... Bow Width--6.5; Length--42.5
(b) Length--39.5 ... Width--12
(c) Length--17.5; Width at forearm--4.5; at Wrist--2.5
(d) Length--18; Width at forearm--4.5; at Wrist--2.625
Marks(c-d)
Stamped number inside forearm in black "3896".
Historical NotesThis dress and pair of gloves were worn by Charlotte Knaur at her wedding to George Sutton Edgar on September 30, 1897. The couple had two daughters: one named Charlotte, born in 1898, and a second, who died in infancy. By 1900, Charlotte and Edgar were divorced in a very publicized manner. Charlotte's sister, Margaret, was the maternal grandmother of donor Shirley Schmunk. Charlotte Knaur was the daughter of Dr. Christian and Mary Knaur. Dr. Christian was a physician while Mary worked as a translator for a lawyer. Both were German immigrants who came to Pittsburgh via Beaver County. While living in Pittsburgh, the Knaurs lived in the city's East End, including Wilkinsburg and Edgewood. Charlotte Knaur lived at 58 Henry Street in Shadyside at the time of her marriage.Label TextCharlotte Knaur, a rather independent women for this period, was not happily married to George S. Edgar. By 1900 she had pursued and won a divorce, charging George with “reckless spending of his means, staying away from home, dissipating and drinking to excess…” A woman charging divorce was rare for that time and was publicized by several Pittsburgh newspapers.

Previous owner Charlotte Knaur Edgar

Related person George Sutton Edgar

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