Vintage Victorian 1860-1865 Fine Black Silk Mourning Dress. PLEASE NOTE: vintage clothing is used clothing and sold as is. PLEASE NOTE: NO OVERSEAS SHIPPING  with U.S based overseas companies too many issue's with them if you purchase an item and use these types of companies your sale will be cancelled and refunded. I do not ship overseas through Quigley Blvd New Castle DE it is not a registered company with ebay.  NO OFFERS WILL BE SENT OUT ANYMORE SINCE NO EVER ACCEPTS THEM. This stunning fine black silk Civil War Mourning Dress was found at an estate sale in Illinois in the late 1990s. Thank you, Gil for saving me that chaotic day and rescuing all the vintage clothing you saved as well as me.  I will always thank Gil for every piece I list. Exquisite black silk hand and machine stitched dress was used as either a Sunday Best, or, as a Mourning Dress. Many ladies wore black on Sundays because black showed less dirt and staing and was a functional color. Plush silk outer fabric. The skirt is lined with very good condition polished black cotton. Bodice has brown cotton lining. Bodice front has boning in the seams, there are six. Back of bodice has no boning. Bodice has hook and eye closure beneath the silk shank flat round buttons. Needs one hook and eye added at the tiny standup collar. Front open Placket at middle upper skirt that has snap closure. Very little wear to this garment. Simple adornment of black silk ribbon trim along the bodice, ends of sleeves and lower skirt. Ribbon is hand applied. Wide ribbon measures 1", thin ribbon measures 1/8". Many Civil War and pre-civil war gowns were constructed in two pieces and then sewn together to create a dress. Back of skirt is constructed with a "hand" ruched center and then attached to the lower back hemline of bodice. Ruched section measures 1".  Just below the front of bodice the skirt has a seamed line for added adornment. Not a rip, a front seam for added styling.  Shoulders, Armcyce's, and waistline are piped. Piping in the 18th and 19th centuries were cut on the bias, string added inside and completely sewn by hand. There are no rips, tears, pinholes, none that I can see with the naked eye. Armcyce's are superb. No stains. Exquisite gown, well preserved when found. Was wrapped inside a very old sheet. Has been wrapped out od light and dust since this was found. Owner of the estate knew nothing of his ancestors, or, who wore what. I am listing more from this estate. Great display simply add an Irish Crichet collar or fine lace long collar. Total circumference measures 150". Gown is heavy. NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING. All sales final. Thank you.