Suit

Marks or LabelsWoven label in back neckline of coat: GIBB & COMPY / MONTREAL / NO. 26/385 / EB Hosmer, Esq. Handwritten label pinned in breeches: PILLOW VAUGHAN COLL / OCT. 1968 / FANCY DRESS / HOSMER Engraved on buttons of breeches: P.C.G. AULIN / QUEBEC Handwritten label attached to jabot collar: PILLOW VAUGHAN / COLL. / OCT. 1968 / FANCY DRESS / HOSMER

Date Late 1890s

Medium / Technique Cotton velveteen, silk taffeta lining, steel button, cotton lace, silk cord, cotton cord, silk satin, cotton lace, reproduction waistcoat

Dimensions.1) Coat: 98.2 cm (length); chest: 82.2 cm (circumference); sleeve: 69.2 cm (length) .2) Breeches: 77.4 cm (length); waist: 87.8 cm (circumference) .3) Jabot: 37.9 cm × 32.8 cm (length × width)

ClassificationPersonal Objects - Clothing - Main Garments

Origin Montreal, Quebec, Canada, North America

Object NumberM2022X.1.4.1-3

DivisionDress, Fashion and Textiles - Fashion, clothing and accessories

CollectionMcCord

Notes

Exhibition Costume Balls - Dressing Up History, 1870-1927
Sieur de Bienville, Lemoyne Family of Longueuil set

Elwood B. Hosmer, aged 19, portrayed an 18th-century governor of Louisiana, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne. While his photograph shows him in a different costume, this outfit was made for him around the time of this ball. The discrepancy is a conundrum, but we do know that money was no object in his wealthy family. Elwood Hosmer’s carefully waxed moustache was entirely anachronistic, from a full century earlier than the period when his character flourished.

Status

Not on view

Information about the objects in our collection is updated to reflect new research findings. If you have any information to share regarding this object, please email reference.mccord@mccord-stewart.ca.

Information about rights and reproductions is available here.