Friday, September 14, 2018

MABEL #6


Posted by Chic Silber at 9/14/2018 12:54:00 AM

1 comments:

Roger Smith said...

We see many trainers wearing uniforms of this type in that era. Mabel's included the half-cape, the long-sleeved tunic, which was ornately decorated with style points, and the striped trousers. Her 26" boots were from other sources. The uniforms were custom made for her by DeMoulin Bros. of Greenville, Illinois, a company very much still in operation. They dressed many circus acts, and in rather toned-down designs, they also uniformed prop boys, ushers, and ticket takers. Today, DeMoulin's main markets are professional, college, and high school marching bands, their elegant designs for which first attracted the circus trade.

This very uniform had a Japanese laundry mark on the inside of the jacket collar. I sent a picture of it to Ken Kawata, who told me it translated to the English word "Trees". Mabel at the time was Mabel Stark (Mrs. Edwin) Trees. For many years, I had 4 of Mabel's uniforms, including this one, and the mink coat she bought in Japan. All are now in the holdings of a private collector.

14 September, 2018 18:25

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