Late 19th Century 3-Panel Screen / Room Divider W Godey’s Fashion Print Appliqué

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A late 19th century (or possibly earlier) 3-panel room screen of paper appliqué on wood with copper tacked edges and … Read more A late 19th century (or possibly earlier) 3-panel room screen of paper appliqué on wood with copper tacked edges and bronze toned hinges. One side has a vibrant geometric design. The other side bears 3 fashion vignettes against a petite floral background. Appliqué imagery is branded “Godey’s Fashions 1853” (see below).

Today, when we want to be updated on what the current fashion trend is, you look to social media, celebrities, influencers, popular fashion designers, as well as big fashion magazines like Vogue. Prior to the internet and social media, women got their up-to-date fashion news from weekly and monthly magazines or catalogs, such as Harper's Bazaar, Women's Wear Daily, the Delineater, McCalls, Butterick, Sears & Roebuck, and others. Going back even further, prior to the 1870s, you had Godey's Lady's Book - arguably the most popular and well known of the United States' fashion sources in the 19th century.

Louis A. Godey in Philadelphia, started this publication in 1830, mainly targeted as a 'gift book' for women. It included short stories, poems, and most importantly, fashions. It also included patterns to make the styles portrayed, including crochet patterns, millinery, and other small 'home' items. By 1860, the magazine had a subscription of 150,000 - quite a readership, considering it was a more expensive publication at $3 a year. See less