5.3.12

Victoriana




This beautiful 1880s velvet bonnet, a gift from my dear aunt, is among my favorite treasures. What makes it especially delightful, aside from the obvious aesthetic charm, is that it came with the original owner's (or milliner's?) label:

 
Mrs. F. P. Leonard
3335 West Lapham St.
West A--- [Allis?] 14 Wisconsin

I have several pieces with name tags, but this is the first time I've had an address to go on. Naturally, I did a bit of stalking sleuthing, and procured an image from Google Earth of what may’ve been Mrs. Leonard’s residence:

Hmm, I wonder if that is indeed it? This is not the exact address, though, but an "approximate match", suggesting there could've been an older home here once... perhaps this is the former site of some stately Victorian mansion (I'd like to think so anyway). A Google search also revealed that a Mrs. F. P. Leonard of West Allis, WI served as a chapter regent for the D.A.R in 1929. I guess I'll never know the whole story, but it's thrilling to have a little window into this woman's life!

At any rate, I feel honored to have Mrs. Leonard’s fine hat! It is such a darling piece, bedecked in bows and violets…




Oh, and here’s a sneak-peek at some lovely new finds I’ve snapped up lately:

That aqua number in the middle is the sweetest little 1940s linen suit; I simply can’t wait until the days are warm enough to wear it out! 


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33 comments:

  1. Wow it's so amazing that you could track down some of the ladies details - I love it when you have that personalised touch. I have a compact that came in it's original postage box complete with sender and to whom it was brought for. I treasure it so much for these details.

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  2. That hat is fantastic! There are so many interesting bits--the velvet, the bow, the flowers; the color is quite beautiful too. How interesting to have an address of the original owner! And even if that isn't the same house, it's quite adorable anyhow.
    The weather has been warming up here lately, and I've been itching to get new clothes, but I must refrain because it's going to be a pain getting all my things back to the States as it is! I'm so ready to be home, where I can have my whole closet to choose from!
    p.s.: Did you receive my last letter?

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  3. How exciting! It's so interesting to know a little bit about the past history of clothing. The hat is just darling.

    xo,
    Em

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  4. Lovely hat!! I am a bit of a hat collector, myself. Though not so much a wearer as I would like. Living on a farm doesn't afford many occasions for hat-wearing. I just started following your blog and love your style! ~ Hosanna

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  5. You look beautiful wearing it!

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  6. Amazing!! This hat is truely a treasure :))

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  7. great photos and great blog!!
    Greetings from Spain
    http://thespeedboys.blogspot.com/

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  8. That is AMAZING. It's beautiful and looks great on you! Isn't it amazing how one article of clothing can lead you to someones life, someone who maybe never thought a young women from the 2000's would even care about? This is one of the many reasons why I adore vintage. (:

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    1. Aww, I know!! Perhaps no one in her family even remembers her, but at least I can lend her my thoughts :)

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  9. How utterly heavenly!One of my fave eras,and o,to know who owned it and (sort of) where she lived?!O MY!:)

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  10. Ooh, that is an amazing hat! How neat to have the original label. I love when I can daydream a little about the history of a piece. :)

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  11. What a lovely hat! and I love how you looked up her address. Im always curious who wore the clothes I buy at vintage shops.

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  12. WOW i love old victorian things! Here's to the best of the wild west! i just love the wild west too. this is wonderful! i really enjoyed this post and you look so cute!

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    1. Thank you!! Ah, but best of the wild *mid*west, you mean... Wisconsin is better known for dairy and beer than gun-slingers ;-)

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  13. You look simply amazing, and like a beautiful girl I'd love to paint! This hat is so wonderful, what a lovely gift! I dunno, I can sort of imagine a pleasant little woman in that tiny house with the rooms filled to the brim with fancy frippery that she sells to the fashionable ladies. I think I would have liked to have been a milliner in another life :)

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    1. Thank you Heather! I love your scenario... more likely, indeed, than my fantasies of ornate Victorian mansions, hehe. I would've loved to have been a milliner as well; I can't think of any lovelier idea than a Victorian hat shop, filled with feathers and velvet and ribbons, oh my!

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  14. lol I'd do the same thing if I had her information! Maybe you could dig up more info at the library. What a cool hat! It looks great on you :)

    Mabel
    Mabel Time

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  15. That hat. is so. GORGEOUS.I love the grey velvet contrasted with the grey wool plus the purple flower ornament. Ugh! And it looks great on, too! What a wonderful gift.

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  16. Smashing hat, Dakota! I can't believe a hat that old looks so good. You bring the piece back to life.

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  17. wonderful, love the whole ensemble

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  18. I kind of envy how you can pull off everything Dakota, haha! I love the hat and your jacket is simply fabulous as well. (:
    Yet another wonderful blog entry - my heart always skips a bounce when I see in my blogger list that you have posted another entry. I gotta admit this blog is my favourite of all.
    Greetings from Europe!

    http://adreaminblackandwhite.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you Sarah, what a sweet thing to say!! Your blog is utterly adorable, by the way :)

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    2. Aww, thank you. (:
      And you're very welcome!

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  19. Oh you are so lucky to be gifted such a splendiferous hat my lovely Dakota!! Your female relatives must be so grateful to have you to gift such beauties to, knowing full well they will be loved and treasured always:)). Oh, I can break in your lovely 1940s blue suit until the weather warms up in Vermont if you like ... you're welcome! ;)) xo

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  20. every time I look at you and your outfits I just wonder. . .are you sure you are from this time? you're incredible with how you pull everything periodical off so well!!! That's awesome about that hat!!!

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    1. No, I'm not entirely sure I am! And thank-you so much :)

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  21. Amazing hat! I also can't wait to see how you style your newly acquired dresses and skirt. Also I just wanted to let you know that I included one of your photos in my weekly Vintage News, Links & Inspiration post this week: http://thriftaholic.blogspot.com/2012/03/vintage-news-links-inspiration-of-week.html :)

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  22. I got so excited when I saw that first picture of you! You look incredible! I think that hat was destined to continue it's life with you. How lovely that it had the name and address still with it. I always like to wonder where my clothes came from and the stories they must hold, but having an actual name and address is very special. I think Mrs Leonard would be very happy to know it now belongs to a lovely lady like yourself.

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  23. Your blog is so nice! I love the design! And your style!

    http://www.afrenchinlosangeles.com/

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