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This is a coat style smock with a front opening, a round collar and pockets set in the side seams. It is embroidered with rows of feather stitch on the front panel, collar edge, the back yoke and shoulders. It was purchased from the original wearer by the donor.

1 smock: cotton; good condition

Citation in publication [Oliver, Tina, 'Smocks: A Guide to the Collections' (Reading: The University of Reading, 2000)] – 'This smock was sent to the Museum with a 'teamster's' or waggoner's short coat and a pair of corduroy leggings. In 1955 the donor wrote from Nailsworth, Gloucestershire 'I can give you no information at all as to the origin because I have had them so many years amongst my artistic flotsam and jetsam that I no longer remember how or where I acquired them. All I can assert however, is that I bought them from their actual wearers. They are not stage wardrobe stuff. If not interested I have no hesitation over returns. No offence taken.' The cotton twill smock is in good condition; the smocking is simple with featherstitch applied in straight lines as additional decoration to the side panels, yoke and collar. The long front placket opening fastens with four-hole metal buttons.' p.11, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'The origin of this smock is unknown. It has an opening of 13 inches from the neck at the front, which is fastened with four buttons. The tubing, on either side of the opening, is 11.5 inches wide and 13 inches long. There are no boxes, but simply three lines of double feather stitch. There is a double line of feather stitch across the yoke at the back and also along the shoulder straps and round the collar. The sleeves are smocked above the cuff and fastened with two buttons. There are two pockets with lids set across the side seams. // The smock is 39.5 inches from shoulder to hem, and 71 inches round the hem.', MERL ‘Temporary Catalogue’ form – ‘Sheet 1 of 2 // Identification // Class. PERSONAL clothing garment // Description: Material(s): cream twilled cotton, cream thread // Dimensions: total length; 100cm // neck opening, length; 32cm // collar depth; 8cm // cuffs depth; 4cm // Notes (continued overleaf): Description: handsewn style: coat, front opening with 4 buttons, collar: round cuffs: straight bands with two buttons on each [page break] pockets: set in across side seams, with flaps, outline cable and points // tubing: panels each side of front opening – 23 rows, above cuffs – 6 rows // widely spaced gathers // embroidery: outsides of front panel – three rows of feather stitching // collar edge – one row of feather stitch // back yoke and shoulders – two rows of feather stitch //Sheet 2 of 2 // pocket flaps ht x w; 4 x 20cm // hem circumference; 150cm // tubing front ht x w; 33 x 30cm’, MERL ‘Associated information’ form - 'Name [...] of present owner: Edwin Noble // Description of use to which it was put [...] // Tab "Noble" in red [on] collar. Origin - not known [pencil sketch]'

Fibre, cotton, Fibre

Stitched, Smocked, Embroidered