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But the
accent is on ‘pretty’. In the world of
corsetry, for instance, there’s no money in tired old elastic roll-ons
(remember roll-ons?) but a glamourous whaleboned corset of the
lace-up-to-die kind is well worth retrieving from the dressing-up box.
If it
seems to be handmade, it could be pre-1850
(when the sewing machine revolutionised fashion). A boned linen corset c1770
has fetched £2,400 before now, and an embroidered waist-cincher from 1820
can go for £330. In good condition, a lace-trimmed later model, say mid-19th
century, attracts £80 at auction.
Frills and padding
Victorian petticoats are also sought after: layer
upon layer were worn, but it’s the over-petticoat, often with frills or lace
made to peep out at the ankle, that can be worth £20-£80.
First
introduced in the 1600s, bustles made a big
come-back in the 1880s, when you flattened the front to accentuate the rear.
(Some became so large it was said you could balance a tea tray on your
behind!). A Victorian tie-on bustle made of cotton-covered padded horsehair
could be £200 today.
Back to
drawers.
Why
drawers? They began as effectively two
separate trouser-legs that had to be ‘drawn on’ to tie around the waist with
tape.
Re-named
knickers after 1882, the Edwardian ones (c1905) could be worth something.
Made of cotton lawn, and by now one-piece, a pristine example might reach
£18-20.
And did
gt-gt-grandma keep her stockings up with a garter?
Let’s hope it was a saucy French one. A couple of years ago, a particular
example fetched £140. It was dated around 1850, embroidered with a
guard-dog and its kennel, bearing the words On ne passe pas.
As with
any collectable, a link with fame will cause
prices to rocket. A single silk stocking belonging to Queen Victoria has
sold for £200 - but that’s not a patch on Madonna’s black satin bustier
which recently sold at Christie’s for £4,200!
Previous editions:
Family Treasures - 1
Family Treasures - 2
Family Treasures - 3
Family Treasures - 4
Family Treasures - 5
Family Treasures - 6
Family Treasures - 7
For subsequent editions - see the laterlife
interest index
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