Seed Pearl Necklace and Bracelets

[L Verge]

(05-29-2019 12:56 PM)James Wrote:  

(05-29-2019 09:03 AM)Susan Higginbotham Wrote:  Frank Leslie's (March 23, 1861) mentions her wearing "pearl ornaments." If you search for photographs of Mary wearing the set, you'll notice she wears it with low-necked evening dresses--nothing remotely like the lady in the photograph is wearing.

Illustrations of the first inaugural ball show the fashionable ladies in low-necked evening dresses. Do you think Mary would have been caught dead at such an occasion in a high-necked day dress?

No, Susan, she wouldn't have.
Is the image you mention a formal photograph?
Would Mary be "caught dead" wearing a "day dress" while sitting for a formal photograph with her husband?
Would Mary have worn a deeply bordered Point D'Alencon lace collar with a day dress?
Would Mary have worn a deeply bordered Point D'Alencon lace collar with a low necked ball gown?
Is there one shred of doubt that Mary wore a deeply bordered Point D'Alencon lace collar to the inaugural ball?
Would Mary have worn a seed pearl necklace perched atop the lace collar to the inaugural ball?
Lastly, was there any mention in the Frank Leslie's article you referenced to a Christmas Tree?

First, Susan Higginbotham is very well-qualified to respond to your "pointed" questions, and I will herein present only my opinions/answers. Second, to refresh folks' memories as to the spurious image that continues to plague us, please go here:

http://abeandmarydag.com/

Now: In mid-19th century culture, I believe that all photographs could be termed "formal photographs," since the process was just getting started and few people would ever have more than one (if that) photograph in their lifetime.

The dress that I assume you are referring to in the abeandmarydag is best termed an "afternoon dress" from my education on ladies' dress of the mid-1800s (as opposed to work dress, day dress, etc.). It was perfectly acceptable for photographs of that time and, indeed, was probably the type worn by 95% of the ladies.

Before I address the collar issues, what proof do you have that the lady in your daguerreotype is wearing a point d'Alencon lace collar? Have you researched that type of lace? It dates to the 17th century in France, was popular until about 1815 and then came back into style when Empress Eugenie popularized it again mid-19th century. It has always been expensive, requires great skill to make (about 8 months of training before being a qualified lace maker) and about 25 hours of handwork to produce a piece about the size of a postage stamp (let's consider cost). There is a cheaper form known as Alengan (? sp.) that is not as delicate - and you also have bobbin lace.

Let's define the term "collar:" I may be over-simplifying this, but a collar goes around the neck (i.e. horse collar, dog collar, stiff collar, lace collar on a day dress). That said, I do not believe that Mary sported any collar with her inaugural ballgown. Perhaps you are referring to "lace trim" that adorned the ruffled finish of her bodice below the shoulder line? Or, do we know if she had a lace shawl that might have been removed before the photo (but I'm guessing the photo was taken at the White House) earlier... Again, if this is really what you mean, what proof that it is Point lace?

Finally, I believe you have already been told that a necklace would not be worn on top of a collar. That was the place for a brooch at the point where the collar comes together in front.

Will you tease us further by what you mean regarding a Christmas tree in the Leslie's article?

One last personal comment - I do not understand how anyone who is the least bit familiar with what the "real" Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln looked like can suggest that the dag in question is of them.

ONE MORE TEACHABLE MOMENT: Even our forum gentlemen, who are bored or feeling left out, may enjoy this little history of lace: https://visitnormandy.wordpress.com/2010...ncon-lace/