90/17

This is a reversible smock made from white linen and thread. It is hand sewn with smocking on the chest at the front and back, as well as on the sleeves at the top and above the cuff. There is feather-stitch embroidery on the collar, yoke and cuffs. The smock has two button holes on each cuff with pearl buttons, of which one is missing, with pockets on each side of the smock. This smock is one of three, all of which were donated to the MERL via Slough Museum in 1990.

1 reversible smock: plain linen; good condition

Citation in publication [Oliver, Tina, 'Smocks: A Guide to the Collections' (Reading: The University of Reading, 2000)] -‘Three smocks from the same donor, the widow of a retired shepherd, although it is most unlikely that he would have worn a smock during his working life. It is suggested that the smocks were obtained around the time of his retirement in the 1960s for ‘dressing up' and fund raising for local charities, accompanied by his sheep dog. Nothing further is known of the origins of the garments. // 90/17- A reversible lightweight linen smock in good condition, with minimal smocking and linear feather stitching to decorate the collar and cuffs. The collar is wide with deep tuck at the outer edges. The cuffs are designed to fold back. The smock has pockets set behind the side seams with vertical openings in the seams for access.’ (p.28), MERL Accesssion form - ‘Standard museum name: SMOCK // Accession number: 90/17 // Classification: PERSONAL, clothing, garment // Negative number: 60/15760 // Acquisition method: GIFT // Acquired from: Mrs Beckett, LANGLEY, SLOUGH via Slough Museum // Date: 14 March 1990 // Store: small object // Condition: good // Recorder: JMB // Date: 25.9.90 // Description: Plain linen smock with collar and small neck opening at back and front – both closed with one (pearl) button. There is a small block of smocking around each opening. Feather stitching on shoulder and collar. Small patch of smocking at top of sleeve and above the cuffs. Two buttonholes on each cuff. Pearl buttons (1 missing). There is a pocket on each side // Dimensions: Length – 99.0cm // Length of sleeve – 51.0cm // Width at hem – 89.0cm // Associated information: Not known where Mr. Beckett obtained this smock. It was collected by him after 1960 to be worn while collecting for local charities. (See letter.)’, Letter, Mrs Thompson to Mr Brigden, 16th March 1990-‘Dear Roy, Thank you for your help over the smocks and shepherd’s crook on Wednesday. I hope that the following information will help you to complete your records. // The smocks were owned by Mr Percy Beckett who lived in Langley and who died approximately 18 months ago. They were given to me by his widow, Mrs Beckett, whose address is [...]. I shall write to her to let her know that I have passed some of the items which she gave me on to you; perhaps you could write to her too? Mr Beckett was never, I understand, a shepherd locally, but collected these items of costume and used them to raise funds for local charities at festivals and fairs, dressed up with his sheepdog carrying a collecting box. By my calculations he probably retired from work during approximately the mid 1960s. It seems likely that it was at about this time that he began his collecting, although this is only a guess on my part. Mrs Beckett told me that the crook came from Wales and that the various smocks were given by various people (provenance is therefore difficult). Mr Beckett was, according to Mrs Beckett, keen that the most decorative of the smocks which I have passed on to you should go to Reading. She did not seem to know whether he had meant M.E.R.L. or Reading Borough. I have assumed that he meant M.E.R.L., but perhaps you could mention it to John Rhodes if you have the opportunity or perhaps I could do so myself? // Many thanks, // Isobel.’

1959-01-01 - 1999-12-31

Late-twentieth century

Fibre, flax, Fibre, Pearl

Smocked, Stitched, Embroidered

Slough Museum ()