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Boy's Suit

ca. 1890 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A boy’s two piece black velvet suit, ca. 1890, made in England and worn by Ernest Franklin Baker when he was page boy at his sister’s wedding. The jacket has a single eye and hook fastening at the front of the jacket with scalloped-edged pocket flaps mother of pearl buttons on each sleeve. The three-quarter length trousers feature decorative cut-steel buttons and buckles at the ankles. There are metal buttons along the top of the trousers and velvet covered buttons fasten the side pockets and small fall front.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Boy's Jacket
  • Boy's Trousers
Materials and techniques
Sewn velvet
Brief description
Two piece black velvet suit for a boy, ca. 1890, made in England.
Physical description
Two piece black velvet suit for a boy
Credit line
Gift of Margaret Christian
Object history
Black, velvet 2 piece suit worn by Ernest Franklin Baker. Ernest was born on 28th February 1885 and was the youngest of five (two brothers, George and Arthur and two sisters) who lived at 3 Albany Road, Leyton in Essex. Ernest went to the Coopers’ Company’s School in Tredegar Square, Bow and then worked in the Law Union and Rock Insurance Company in the City of London. At the outbreak of the Second World War he was called up and joined the Royal Army Service Corps as a Private. On being demobbed in 1919 returned to his previous employers and rose to be their Head Actuary. He married Daisy (nee Dowling). On retirement they moved to Thorpe-le-Soken in Essex where he was an active member of the community. He died on 4 June 1958 in Fordham, Essex. He suit was given to the V&A Museum of Childhood by his granddaughter, Margaret Christian who lives at 7 Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3RA.
Production
Differences in sewing technique and decorative fastenings between the trousers and jacket suggest that they may have been produced independent of each other.
Association
Summary
A boy’s two piece black velvet suit, ca. 1890, made in England and worn by Ernest Franklin Baker when he was page boy at his sister’s wedding. The jacket has a single eye and hook fastening at the front of the jacket with scalloped-edged pocket flaps mother of pearl buttons on each sleeve. The three-quarter length trousers feature decorative cut-steel buttons and buckles at the ankles. There are metal buttons along the top of the trousers and velvet covered buttons fasten the side pockets and small fall front.
Collection
Accession number
B.91:1, 2-2014

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Record createdSeptember 1, 2014
Record URL
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