Yay! The end of the fashion terms beginning with the letter “c” and on to the letter D! These pages cover corset covers, cuffs, curves, cross stitching, culottes, cottons and more.
Cope thru Debutante – from The Language of Fashion
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Old Book Scans
Explore the Old Books category for a unique collection of digital scans from rare and antique books. Dive into ‘The Language of Fashion’ for a comprehensive fashion encyclopedia, ‘Liberty’s Victorious Conflict’ for a photographic journey through WWI, and ‘The ABC Book of Birds’ for a colorful glimpse into turn-of-the-century children’s literature. Each book is meticulously scanned to the best of my ability, offering a digital window into the past for historians, fashion enthusiasts, and collectors alike.
The Language of Fashion by Mary Brooks Picken 1938
I am so excited to get The Language of Fashion by Mary Brooks Picken (1938 edition) as an early Christmas present! I am even more thrilled by my friend’s thoughtfulness. Even more excited that this book’s copyright has apparently expired (according to my search on the U.S. government copyright site)…. so I can scan the pages!
The A B C Book of Birds
Step back to 1916 with The A B C Book of Birds, a beautifully illustrated children’s alphabet book that blends early-20th-century natural history, education, and art. Featuring 27 birds—from familiar robins and owls to exotic macaws, lyrebirds, and even the extinct dodo—this little volume pairs Carolyn S. Hodgman’s sing-song verse with vibrant chromolithograph illustrations by Will F. Stecher of Stecher Litho Co. of Rochester, New York.
I’ve carefully scanned the original, well-loved copy so you can explore every page in high-resolution detail, from the texture of the paper to the rich color layers of the lithography. The complete unwatermarked book is available as a digital download, and each bird has also been separated out into its own artwork—perfect as vintage-style prints for nurseries, playrooms, classrooms, or anyone who loves birds and antique illustration.
A Jewish History Book: Jews in American Wars
I found this old Jewish war history book at a thrift store. It's about the history of Jews and how they helped out in American Wars, published in 1943 in the midst of World War II and Hitler's rampage across Europe. I am finding it a fascinating...
World War I timeline, soldiers photos, and heroes
Hey, I’ve just gone through the last few pages of ‘Liberty’s Victorious Conflict,’ a book from my latest scanning project, and it’s quite the journey through the World War I timeline. You’ll find everything from dramatic shots of fighter planes in the heat of battle, to the brave souls piloting them, and even heartfelt glimpses of soldiers on the mend. There’s also a detailed look at the hospital train cars that played such a crucial role back then. Not to mention, a concise timeline that captures the key events from 1914 to 1917, shaping the course of the war. And yes, there’s a piece on Woodrow Wilson’s pivotal speech pushing for America’s entry into the conflict. It’s a rich tapestry of history, captured in one place.
Aircraft and Dirigibles used in World War I
Here are some pictures of air planes used in World War I, and even one of a dirigible guarding the English coast! Military use of airplanes was still very new at this point, and shown are a picture of an English plane crashed into a tree and a German plane that was brought down near Marne. I think the photo of a raider dropping a bomb is just amazing for this time period, the caption says the photo was captured by an accompanying plane. Another interesting arial photograph is one of a World War I American Air Squadron in flight.
World War I Book: “Liberty’s Victorious Conflict”, a Photographic History of the First World War
I am not sure why I didn’t buy this photographic history book… It has some really good pictures of World War I in it, and I believe it was written and published before World War II.
Last pages of The Language of Fashion
What a cool treasure, to find a fashion book published at the dawn of World War II. It’s been interesting to expand my fashion vocabulary, and to learn so many new things about the history of fashion.
Twill Weave to Yarns
Almost at the end of this fashion dictionary! I’m a bit relieved but also a little sad. I’ve learned SO much about vintage clothing identification and fashion terminology, but this is one of the most boring things ever to scan, because it’s like… reading and scanning a dictionary 😛 When I finish with this self imposed project, feel free to call me a total weirdo.
Types of Stitches thru Tunics & Turbans
Ever wonder how to name or identify the stitching that you might find on pieces of vintage clothing? Here are some excellent definitions, descriptions, and illustrations for types of stitches used in clothing construction and decoration. Referring to these drawings and definitions has helped me to identify and describe vintage clothing.
Skirts thru sportswear – definitions and illustrations for vintage clothing identification
It’s interesting to see the types of skirts, sleeves, and sportswear illustrated and defined! Hopefully this helps you in identifying and describing vintage clothing… I can’t help but read thru this fashion dictionary and learn as I scan and post these pages!
Timeline of Historical Fashion silhouettes thru the ages – Types of Satin continued
I find this fashion dictionary’s timeline of silhouettes thru the ages to be interesting, because people in certain eras interpret describe history differently than at other times. History is subjective, to a degree, if only because of the process of curating and deciding what to include or exclude in a synopsis. It’s interesting to see what a fashion expert writing this dictionary thought was important, and the descriptions they used, as compared to more modern historical perspectives.
3 more scans from the Language of Fashion, a 1930s fashion dictionary
My scanning got interrupted today. Here are just 3 pages defining such things as robe d’intrenieur (a hostess gown), ruche, rumba costume, saque (and the 1930s sack garment), different types of sashes, ending with defining the various types of satin.
Nets thru Robe de Style, and information about Rayon
As I’m recovering from my wonderful New Years celebrations last night… I’m posting 18 more scans from the 1938 fashion dictionary, The Language of Fashion. These pages cover nets (continued) to Robe de Style, with several informative pages between, including a lengthy and informative page about Rayon. Did you know that (in 1938) there are four different processes for making Rayon …
Types of Necklines Defined. Fashion Terminology, Lambswool to Nets
Defining and illustrating various types of necklines. How useful to describing and selling vintage clothing online, as well as when buying it!
Lace identification guide and illustrations, and I – Lambskin
Wow. It amazes me how many different kinds of lace there are, and this fashion dictionary goes thru the pains to illustrate and describe some pretty obscure types! I hope that this is helpful for modern lace identification on vintage clothing and miscellany.
Types of heels to Hug Me Tights – Fashion Dictionary Scans
Here are more pages from The Language of Fashion dictionary. Of most interest to me was the illustrated and defined types of heels. In 1938, it looks like what I think of as a “stiletto” was called a Spanish Heel. I hope it helps with your identification of vintage and modern shoes!
Different types of hats, illustrated and defined.
Among other things, these next 10 pages define and illustrate the different types of mens and womens hats. Special emphasis seems to have been placed on the types of hats that were fashionable for women in 1938 (including the halo, mushroom, skimmer, profile, sailor, Chou, cartwheel, and bumper brim hat styles).
Different types of fancy dress and other pages from the Language of Fashion
Here are 12 more scans from The Language of Fashion, a fashion dictionary published in 1939. I found the “different types of fancy dress” most interesting in these pages, and funny that it includes a Disney drawing of a dwarf (from Snow White) to illustrate and define a Dwarf Costume.
Décolletage, dots, Types of dresses, and other fashion definitions
These pages contain many useful fashion terms and definitions! Illustrated is a directoire costume, Dolly Verde Costume (1870), different types of dots (differentiating between those applied chemically, woven, or embroidered), and more.
Different types of Coats illustrated – from The Language of Fashion
Different types of coats, illustrated and defined. These include the Box Coat of the 1930s, the Blouse coat of the 1920s, coachmens’ coats, 17th century buffcoat, coolie coat, Balmacaan, Duster early 1900s, Raglan coat, Women’s Cutaway Coat, MacFarlane, and more types of coats.
These pages also cover different types of coifs and collars, including the Bertha collar of the 1920s, the Chin Collar of 1916, and the Buster Brown collar.
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