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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Northern Lights Lodge, post: 2690461, member: 13464&quot;]Hi everyone,</p><p>I just brought my Great-Grandmother&#039;s coat home from the cleaners and thought I&#039;d share it with you.</p><p><br /></p><p>I had worn it a number of times - oddly enough, it fits my short, pear shape figure - despite she was a very tall, willowy lady. When I started wearing it; I thought that it had been worn very little. It was only after wearing it occasionally, that I noticed that it had been worn A LOT! It just didn&#039;t show!</p><p><br /></p><p>Years ago, my husband and I had an opportunity to stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. It had always been on my &quot;bucket list&quot; to do needlework on the porch of the Grand. He had meetings and was busy during the day; I had time to sit on the porch! <img src="styles/default/xenforo/smilies/smile.png" class="mceSmilie" alt=":)" unselectable="on" /> It was October... perfect for wearing Gr-Grand&#039;s coat!</p><p><br /></p><p>I carelessly got TOO close to those long white painted metal planters that sit along the front edge of the porch and put a huge 2&quot; long &quot;L&quot; shape rip in the front panel! I was aghast! After worrying about it for a couple years; I decided that I was very capable of mending it. Who else? LOL... my kid&#039;s wouldn&#039;t bother ... even though I love em!&nbsp; So, on the mend I went. I was relatively pleased with the results...and even though I _KNOW_ it is there; I still have to look for it!</p><p><br /></p><p>So, I added to it&#039;s story and provenance; by adding a cloth information/personal history panel to the inside. In doing research about the manufacturer&#039;s label (Sartor of Manchester England); I pretty much proved what I had thought re: it&#039;s history - when it was purchased!&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>I found this quote on line: &quot;They were based on Derby St, in the Cheetham hill area of Manchester. They were set up by Bernard Cohen in the late 1800&#039;s I believe, when he died the company was passed to his son Ronnie Conway post WW2. They made sports jackets, raincoats and had a bespoke tailoring showroom in the factory for suits etc. If remember correctly they closed down in the 80&#039;s, they were mainly mail order but all their garments were from the best quality Yorkshire cloth with a really professional tailoring skill.&quot;[ATTACH=full]274193[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>I believe Great-Grandmother purchased the coat in Manchester; prior to her first move to the US which would have been in 1892. She had married the previous year; never told her family and prepared to immigrate to the US. Her husband had departed for Montana following their marriage with his three brothers. They had planned to start a ranch and call for her after they were settled. </p><p><br /></p><p>So, after the brothers were settled; she said her goodbyes to friends and family. She&#039;d gotten her health papers in order; had her vaccinations; made arrangements to have a carriage waiting after she disembarked and had reservations at a neighboring hotel near Ellis Island. She carried with her, this coat, a black umbrella with a silver handle, a leather portmanteau (which contained her &quot;best&quot; dress which was black and had a matching hat - which she donned after making port) and her walrus skin handbag.</p><p><br /></p><p>Making her way to customs; she presented her paperwork - including reservation papers and pointing to the carriage at the end of the wharf, said it was waiting for her. After spending the night in New York; she boarded a train and traveled cross country to Montana where she was met by her husband and taken to the ranch. </p><p><br /></p><p>The following year my Grandmother was born in a little nearby village that had a midwife. They lived at the ranch for several years; but it never did well. Upon discovering that she was pregnant again; they returned to England. My grandmother was raised in England; but the family moved AGAIN to the United States in 1911. This time settling permanently in the mid-west. </p><p><br /></p><p>Great-Grandma returned to England yet one more time. My Great-GREAT grand mother had passed away long before Great-Grandma left England the first time. This time; she&#039;d recently lost her husband and her dear Aunt was dying. So she returned to care for her... again traveling alone.&nbsp; She stayed several years and returned for the 3rd and final time to the US in about 1930. I&#039;m certain that this coat accompanied her on all those trips!</p><p><br /></p><p>The coat itself is made of a very substantial tweed sort of fabric in black, gray and a sort of olive green color and has a silky texture. It has adjustable button cuffs and a cute stand up Peter Pan collar. It is lined with a pretty plaid. It falls well below the knee. It is cut VERY wide!&nbsp; Today we&#039;d probably call it a &quot;swing&quot; coat. However, purchased in the late 1800&#039;s; it was undoubtedly meant to accommodate a bustle or small hoop. The pockets are HUGE and all the front buttons, except the top one, are hidden. The light color marks in the back photo are from light filtering through trees rather than discolorations on the coat.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>The neckline and cuffs have signs of wear, as does the front flap edge; but clever coat maker - the layer of fabric UNDER the top layer is the same as the top layer! With the exception of the front flap. </p><p>[ATTACH=full]274192[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]274194[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Can you see the mend in the photo below?</p><p>[ATTACH=full]274209[/ATTACH] </p><p>It is about an inch from the seam line...</p><p><br /></p><p>Ok...here is my mend. </p><p>[ATTACH=full]274202[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>So there you have it. Great-Grandmas&#039; traveling coat. She was a very independent woman, had some training as a healer/midwife, herself. She was tall, willowy and elegant. Yes, I have this coat, her hat, &quot;best&quot; black dress, handbag, portmanteau, umbrella AND her passport, health documents, map of the ship (from her last trip) + menu and other paperwork about that voyage. I think for her time she was quite a remarkable woman! I&#039;m blessed to have these items from her; and her &quot;story&quot; among other items that belonged to she and her husband.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cheerio,</p><p>Leslie[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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