Clothing & Accessories

Women's Gown (cheong sam) ca. 1930

Work, play, fashion, economic class, religious faith, even politics—all these aspects of American life and more are woven into clothing. The Museum cares for one of the nation's foremost collections of men's, women's, and children's garments and accessories—from wedding gowns and military uniforms to Halloween costumes and bathing suits.

The collections include work uniforms, academic gowns, clothing of presidents and first ladies, T-shirts bearing protest slogans, and a clean-room "bunny suit" from a manufacturer of computer microchips. Beyond garments, the collections encompass jewelry, handbags, hair dryers, dress forms, hatboxes, suitcases, salesmen's samples, and thousands of fashion prints, photographs, and original illustrations. The more than 30,000 artifacts here represent the changing appearance of Americans from the 1700s to the present day.

Topic: Celluloid

Cigarette case

A mottled green celluloid cigarette case with amber trim and a white rhinestone decorative motif. There are no maker's marks.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A mottled green celluloid cigarette case with amber trim and a white rhinestone decorative motif. There are no maker's marks.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2006.0098.1397
catalog number
2006.0098.1397
accession number
2006.0098

Buckle

A belt buckle made of brown celluloid and decorated with rhinestones and bars of black celluloid. The style is Art Moderne. It is unmarked.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A belt buckle made of brown celluloid and decorated with rhinestones and bars of black celluloid. The style is Art Moderne. It is unmarked.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
2006.0098.1731
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.1731

Infant's comb and brush set

Pink cardboard box containing an infant's celluloid comb and brush set. Both comb and brush are imitation-ivory, with hand-painted pink and red floral designs and pink ribbons tied to the handles. Such sets were popular gifts for newborns.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Pink cardboard box containing an infant's celluloid comb and brush set. Both comb and brush are imitation-ivory, with hand-painted pink and red floral designs and pink ribbons tied to the handles. Such sets were popular gifts for newborns.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2006.0098.1492
catalog number
2006.0098.1492
accession number
2006.0098

Art Moderne powder box

A powder box, round, with a lid made of black and white laminated celluloid. The box is glass. An Art Moderne design, part of which is a metal shield-shaped insert, on the lid. The box is unmarked.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A powder box, round, with a lid made of black and white laminated celluloid. The box is glass. An Art Moderne design, part of which is a metal shield-shaped insert, on the lid. The box is unmarked.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920-1935
ID Number
2006.0098.0904
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0904

Grooming kit

A brown leather (or imitation leather), red-fabric lined, folding case containing 21 grooming implements. Five metal (scissors, clippers, tweezers, nail cleaner/file, and what appears to be a punch).
Description (Brief)
A brown leather (or imitation leather), red-fabric lined, folding case containing 21 grooming implements. Five metal (scissors, clippers, tweezers, nail cleaner/file, and what appears to be a punch). Three are metal with celluloid handles and the rest are made entirely of imitation ivory celluloid. The implements and the case are unmarked.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2006.0098.1424
catalog number
2006.0098.1424
accession number
2006.0098

glove stretcher

A glove stretcher made of cream and orange celluloid. It is unmarked.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A glove stretcher made of cream and orange celluloid. It is unmarked.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ID Number
2006.0098.1571
catalog number
2006.0098.1571
accession number
2006.0098

Cigarette case

A cigarette case made of mottled brown translucent celluloid. Its black lid has a rhinestone motif. It is part of a set that includes a match case. It has no maker's marks.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A cigarette case made of mottled brown translucent celluloid. Its black lid has a rhinestone motif. It is part of a set that includes a match case. It has no maker's marks.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2006.0098.1398
catalog number
2006.0098.1398
accession number
2006.0098

Post E Peoria TPA

Die-cut from a sheet of celluloid.
Description (Brief)
Die-cut from a sheet of celluloid. In the shape of the state of Illinois, the badge reads "Post E Peoria TPA convention Illinois Division Champaign May 22-23, 1908." A circular insignia with three triangles is marked with the letters "TPA." TPA stands for Travelers Protective Association.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908
ID Number
2006.0098.0717
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0717

Amerith powder box

A powder box made of orange celluloid with a pearlescent finish. The Art Deco style box has a lift-off lid that is decorated with a tulip motif. The box has the Amerith trademark. Amerith was a tradename of the Celluloid Corporation.
Description (Brief)
A powder box made of orange celluloid with a pearlescent finish. The Art Deco style box has a lift-off lid that is decorated with a tulip motif. The box has the Amerith trademark. Amerith was a tradename of the Celluloid Corporation. It is also marked with the pattern name, Brinkley, which was introduced in 1929.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1929
maker
Celluloid Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2006.0098.1674
catalog number
2006.0098.1674
accession number
2006.0098

Ladies Night Reading Consistory

Folding pocket mirror made of ivory-grained celluloid. Printing in black reads "Ladies Night Reading Consistory" and has the image of a double-headed eagle with a triangle on its chest and the number 32.
Description (Brief)
Folding pocket mirror made of ivory-grained celluloid. Printing in black reads "Ladies Night Reading Consistory" and has the image of a double-headed eagle with a triangle on its chest and the number 32. Below it is a banner reading "spes mea in deo est," which means "My hope is in God."
This is likely a favor from a consistory of the Thirty-Second Degree, or Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret in the Ancient and Accepted Rite Scottish Rite of Reading, Pa. A branch of freemasonry, the group uses the word "consistory" in place of the word "meeting."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1922
ID Number
2006.0098.1162
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.1162

Shoehorn

A shoehorn made of ivory-grained celluloid in the shape of a whale's tail. It was patented in May 1883.Celluloid shoehorn with a “Patd May 20, 1883” inscription.Ref: Martin Gysin and Emil Huber, “Shoe Horn and Jack,” U.S. Patent 271,704 (Feb. 6, 1883).Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A shoehorn made of ivory-grained celluloid in the shape of a whale's tail. It was patented in May 1883.
Description
Celluloid shoehorn with a “Patd May 20, 1883” inscription.
Ref: Martin Gysin and Emil Huber, “Shoe Horn and Jack,” U.S. Patent 271,704 (Feb. 6, 1883).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1883
ID Number
2006.0098.1585
catalog number
2006.0098.1585
accession number
2006.0098

Jewelry box

A jewelry box, made of ivory-grained celluloid, in the shape of a dresser. There are four drawers and a mirror. The drawers are lined with pink velvet. The box is unmarked.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A jewelry box, made of ivory-grained celluloid, in the shape of a dresser. There are four drawers and a mirror. The drawers are lined with pink velvet. The box is unmarked.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1929
ID Number
2006.0098.1689
catalog number
2006.0098.1689
accession number
2006.0098

Clutch purse

A cream celluloid clutch purse with an attached change purse inside. The clasp is a solid piece of yellow celluloid. The purse is lined with satin, and has a short leather strap on the back. It has no maker's marks.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A cream celluloid clutch purse with an attached change purse inside. The clasp is a solid piece of yellow celluloid. The purse is lined with satin, and has a short leather strap on the back. It has no maker's marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
2006.0098.1449
catalog number
2006.0098.1449
accession number
2006.0098

Poirier makeup box

A purse-size makeup box made of light brown ivory-grain celluloid. It has a mirror on the back. The box is for eye makeup and is so marked. An image of a flapper holding a folding fan with the word "Poirier" decorates the lid.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A purse-size makeup box made of light brown ivory-grain celluloid. It has a mirror on the back. The box is for eye makeup and is so marked. An image of a flapper holding a folding fan with the word "Poirier" decorates the lid.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920-1929
ID Number
2006.0098.1685
catalog number
2006.0098.1685
accession number
2006.0098

Celluloid Comb

A celluloid novelty comb in the shape of a penguin. The penguin's head pulls out to reveal a comb made of imitation tortoiseshell. The holder is marked "France" and "Alain Saint . . ."Celluloid comb in a delightful penguin-shaped case.
Description (Brief)
A celluloid novelty comb in the shape of a penguin. The penguin's head pulls out to reveal a comb made of imitation tortoiseshell. The holder is marked "France" and "Alain Saint . . ."
Description
Celluloid comb in a delightful penguin-shaped case. The “Alain / Saint-Joanis” inscription refers to a French design firm that began in business in 1876.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
2006.0098.1719
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.1719

Bar pin

A green celluloid bar pin on its original card. Three faux pearls are decorations. The pin closes with a C-clasp. The card identifies the green material as "Parisian Ivory."Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A green celluloid bar pin on its original card. Three faux pearls are decorations. The pin closes with a C-clasp. The card identifies the green material as "Parisian Ivory."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ID Number
2006.0098.0811
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0811

Cigarette holder

A novelty cigarette holder, extra long. Its box is marked "To Help You Keep Away From Cigarettes." The holder is made of cream celluloid with a brown celluloid insert and a floral motif. It has no maker's marks.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A novelty cigarette holder, extra long. Its box is marked "To Help You Keep Away From Cigarettes." The holder is made of cream celluloid with a brown celluloid insert and a floral motif. It has no maker's marks.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2006.0098.1396
catalog number
2006.0098.1396
accession number
2006.0098

Amerith jewelry box

A jewelry box made of orange celluloid with a pearlescent finish. The Art Deco style box has a hinged lid which is decorated with a tulip motif. The bottom of the box is lined with felt. It has the Amerith trademark. Amerith was a tradename of the Celluloid Corporation.
Description
A jewelry box made of orange celluloid with a pearlescent finish. The Art Deco style box has a hinged lid which is decorated with a tulip motif. The bottom of the box is lined with felt. It has the Amerith trademark. Amerith was a tradename of the Celluloid Corporation. It is also marked with the pattern name, Brinkley, which was introduced in 1929.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1929
maker
Celluloid Manufacturing Company
ID Number
2006.0098.1675
catalog number
2006.0098.1675
accession number
2006.0098

Art Moderne hand mirror

A hand mirror made of black and white laminated celluloid. On the mirror back is an Art Moderne design, part of which is a metal, shield-shaped insert. The mirror is unmarked.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A hand mirror made of black and white laminated celluloid. On the mirror back is an Art Moderne design, part of which is a metal, shield-shaped insert. The mirror is unmarked.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920-1935
ID Number
2006.0098.0918
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0918

Shoehorn

Shoehorn in the shape of a woman's leg. Made of laminated sheets of celluloid, its top sheet is orange and hand-painted with a red sock and black shoe. The back is the glittery Goldalure celluloid, developed in the mid-1920s.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Shoehorn in the shape of a woman's leg. Made of laminated sheets of celluloid, its top sheet is orange and hand-painted with a red sock and black shoe. The back is the glittery Goldalure celluloid, developed in the mid-1920s.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1925-1930
ID Number
2006.0098.1584
catalog number
2006.0098.1584
accession number
2006.0098

Spirit of St. Louis pin

Pin made of celluloid in the shape of an airplane. The body of the plane is cream-colored, with black wings and propeller. The pin bar is metal. Gold foil is on the wheels.
Description (Brief)
Pin made of celluloid in the shape of an airplane. The body of the plane is cream-colored, with black wings and propeller. The pin bar is metal. Gold foil is on the wheels. The pin is a souvenir commemorating Charles Lindbergh's nonstop flight across the Atlantic in 1927.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1927
referenced
Lindbergh, Charles A.
ID Number
2006.0098.1548
catalog number
2006.0098.1548
accession number
2006.0098

Compact

A compact made of ivory-grained celluloid with a decorative disk glued to the lid. The disk is also plastic (perhaps celluloid) and is made to look like mother-of-pearl. The compact contains a powder puff and powder residue. It is unmarked.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A compact made of ivory-grained celluloid with a decorative disk glued to the lid. The disk is also plastic (perhaps celluloid) and is made to look like mother-of-pearl. The compact contains a powder puff and powder residue. It is unmarked.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1929
ID Number
2006.0098.1687
catalog number
2006.0098.1687
accession number
2006.0098

Pocket mirror

A round pocket mirror made of celluloid. A photograph of a man in a fedora is on the front.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A round pocket mirror made of celluloid. A photograph of a man in a fedora is on the front.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ID Number
2006.0098.1126
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.1126

Hair Brush with Celluloid Handle and Back

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920-1935
ID Number
2006.0098.0903
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0903

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