Many people comment on the stack of old
photographs that I usually have somewhere on my stand at fairs. The
sight of a black and white picture stirs memories, and the usual
remark is “How sad, who are these unknown people?”
The same can be said for selling
Vintage clothing. One might dwell on the question of who wore the garments and to
which special occasion? In general it is the “best” dresses, hats
or coats that survive the years as they have been cared for, and
stored away.
Recently I met a lovely lady who had
some clothing that she wanted to place in the
Dreweatts and Bloomsbury auction in Bristol. She
showed me dresses and silk dressing gowns that had been carefully placed into boxes with tissue paper layers to protect them that had been put
away by her Aunt over 40 years ago.
Amongst the collection was a wedding
dress, lovingly folded within its own box, along with a photograph of
the wedding day. The story was a poignant one.
The Aunt had been a nurse for many
years and had worked alongside a man who she adored. They were
finally able to marry in the 1960s, but tragically he died just 10
months after the wedding.
We both felt emotional at the thought
of such a life, waiting all those years for the chance to wear the
beautiful dress on such a momentous day, and then having such a short
time together.
The vendor kindly copied these
photographs for me. The first one shows her Aunt in her nurses
uniform and the Doctor who she worked with.
The second is taken on the happy day
when they were married.
I come across many collections of
costume and textiles whilst working for the auction, but very few of them have a story to tell as the information has usually been lost.
On Thursday May
23rd. The Collectors sale will take place at the saleroom
in Baynton Road Bristol. The Textile and costume section has over 100
lots of assorted treasures, most of which have come from private
sources and will be seeing the light of day for the first time in
many years.
Viewing is on Wednesday 22nd from 10.30 to 6 pm and on the morning of the sale from 9am.
Live bidding on-line is also available via the saleroom.com.
The catalogue can be viewed on-line
here.
