Shawl (British), ca. 1850s.

From the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Straw bonnet, ca. 1850.

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Bonnet, 1853-54.

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Women’s History Month Challenge, Day 12: Harriet Beecher Stowe

Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) was an abolitionist and, according to the New York Times, one of the first American celebrity authors.  In 1852 she published the controversial novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which had first been printed as a newspaper serial.  The informal style of the novel allowed readers to empathize with the characters, who debated topics like slavery and racism.  She was recognized internationally for the novel’s success.  Afterwards she wrote other novels, poetry, and pieces for magazines like the Atlantic Monthly.

Source 1

Source 2

omgthatdress:

Chemisette and Undersleeves

1850-1869

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dressing gown, mid 19th-century.

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

La Crinolomanie, 1858.

From the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

weirdvintage:

Crinoline Cartoon, circa 1858

Women’s underwear (including corset, petticoat, chemise and drawers), corset ca. 1850s.

From the Norsk Folkemuseum.

Crinoline, ca. 1858.

From the Victoria & Albert Museum.

omgthatdress:

Petticoat

1835-1855

Augusta Auctions

thedailyvictorian:

A.J. Thompson Bustle patent, 1859 and Jane Culver’s Lung Protector patent, 1874; from the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office

Wedding chemise, ca. 1850.

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Cotton chemisette, ca. 1850s.

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Cotton petticoat (American), ca. 1855-1865.

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art.