Note Type
Curatorial RemarksNote
It has been in doubt for some time that this grand uniform was Irving's while he was secretary to the Legation in London (appointed as a "aide-de-camp" to the American Minister Louis McLane). Of the two Irving uniforms in the HHV collection, the more simple and plain with London maker's buttons would be appropriate for his junior post of secretary, while the grander uniform with long trousers would be more appropriate for Irving in his later post as minister to Spain. The longer trousers would have been more in keeping with the later date, and the amount of embroidery and detail indicates this is for the more senior position. The coat has Paris maker's buttons, and Irving is known to have stopped in Paris on his way to Spain in
Note discrepancy of dating, Irving served as Secretary of the American Legation from 1829-1832, this suit must date to that time period, not c.1840-1845 as orginally cataloged.
Information, in which Mary Edna Sullivan, the Curator of the Collections at Middleton Place Foundation was interested (see object file for further details):
1. Height of the coat's collar: 2 3/4"
2. The coat's sleeve cuff's decoration consists of embroidery with gold thread wrapped around silk core, gold bullion and sequins. The embroidery is executed directly on the cuff's fabric. The cuff is 2 3/4" wide. The outer border of embroidery is 7/8" wide.
3. The buttons have an image of an eagle with its head turned to the left. The eagle holds a bunch of 5 arrows in its right foot, and an olive branch in the left one. There are 13 stars depicted above the eagle. There is a motto band above the eagle with expression E Pluribus Unum.
4. The inscription on the reverse of the buttons reads **Superfin a Paris**T.Note Type
General NoteNote
This is a complete suit of clothes (coat SS.63.642 and trousers SS.63.639).
This is the more lavish of the two uniforms in the collection, ex-collection Washington Irving.
Buttons are very firmly sewn, hard to see the markings.Note Type
StorageNoteNote
Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Union Church, Storage, Shelf 02C