Vintage Victorian Exquisite 1897-1898 Pink/Black Stripe Silk Evening Ensemble. Please note: vintage clothing is used clothing and sold as is. NO INTERNATIONAL 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. DRESS WILL NEED TO BE SIGNED FOR UPON RECEIPT,  NO EXCEPTIONS. I WILL NO LONGER SEND OUT OFFERS SINCE NO ONE  EVER ACCEPTS THEM! This extremely RARE two piece ball gown/Dinner Gown consists of bodice and very heavy trained skirt. Photo's do not do justice to this ensemble. I've had this for many years and finally found it packed away. This came from a very large estate in Syracuse New York. It was a three story brick home with an actual large ballroom on the third floor. A wooden staircase went up to the ballroom. I found this in a box wrapped in a sheet. There was also a black feather Headpiece tucked inside the bodice. Black tall fine cluster of feathers. That will be included with the two pieces. This was worn in the hair. Imagine wearing this ball gown, or more likely, a very fancy high end dinner gown to Delmonicos in New York ( which opened in 1827 and was the "first" fine dining restaurant that served high end meals to order and not what was on the menus at other dining establishments.) and sporting a huge black velvet and feathered Cartwheel hat! This is most likely a dinner gown. Ball gowns would have very short sleeves or were sleeveless. Dinner gowns, such as this, are so very, very rare to find. Many did not survive or were cut up and remade into other garments. Was professionally made, no maker, no Petersham, by a dress maker for the wearer. Made of fine medium weight Watered Silk taffeta. Chemically dipped to create a "rustling" sound when worn. No rips to the fabric from being chemically dipped. Black and pink stripe fabric. Some faded areas from age. Bodice heavily boned and lined. Tight fitting bodice that comes to a point at the lower front. Hook and eye closure. From 1897-1899 came the very feminine high Johnny Collars that had flower and ribbon adornment to the back of the collar. This has a lace net flower at back neckline, black silk ribbon flowers at the front midsection of bodice and back, black silk ribbon trims, front and back, fine black lace mesh at seam sections along shoulder and small puffed upper sleeves with fine black floral lace "Revers" over the shoulders. Sleeves are long with pointed ends. It appears that the ends of the sleeves had tiny jet trim at one time. Remove the thread and even without the edging it still works. Gone now were the huge Leg-O-Mutton, Balloon and Russian Droop sleeves from 1894-1896 period. A more feminine sleeve was now appearing in fashion. This period of time was known as "The Gay Ninties". The hour glass figure was going into a softer, less garish color schemes of the 1890s and into subtler colors. This gown still shows the Boldness of the mid to late 1890s fashions. See photo's. Front bodice had heavy jet trim, No trims were in the box. I have a large collection of 1850s-1900s black jet trim. Had a few pieces, but, not long enough to trim the front bodice. Small hole at front bodice. This can be hidden with black jet trim. No Armcyce rot or holes, slight, very slight, discoloration under the Armcyce's. No rot or rips. Sleeves have jet trim. Bodice in beautiful condition with the exception of the hole, found this way. The upper Johnny collar may have had jet trim. One small pale gray smudge at back right side. The skirt has a large waistband and this is to accommodate wearing over many layers of petticoats. Hook and closure. Hooks at back of skirt that the bodice attaches to. This is to stabilize both skirt and bodice and keep the two pieces from moving around. Inverted pleat at back, heavily gathered in large pleats in front with an inverted front section containing a long jet beaded thin panel that peeks out when worn. One area of lace net has a hole, easy fix to hide it. I have not done the few needed repairs for this ensemble. I used to do repairs for The Goodwill Museum in Seattle for twelve years on much of their vintage they have. There are some area's that show slight fading from age found this way. No rips or tears in the skirt. This glorious piece is extremely heavy and bulky due to the thickness and fabric of the skirt. This is a small to near medium in size. This should not be worn but displayed. Time to pass on to a new care taker. Skirt back train has some smudging of dirt at hemline. Under lining is soft gold chemically dipped silk with scalloped edging at the hem, one area has torn away. Upper middle of skirt has two pale cream silk ribbon ties to widen or slim the back train, ribbons have separated. Inside upper skirt has gross-grain ribbon with a button hole , possibly attaches to front bodice, not certain of it's function. No button on front bodice. This tab has come loose from the upper skirt. One area of lining the seam has opened and needs re-stitched closed. There is spotting on the lower back inside of lining from age. And, "yes" there is a pocket!! Needs large heavy hooks replaced and one heavy round ring. Only one ring is left. Very, very heavy skirt. Some of the heavy boning of the bodice need tacked down. Still has original under arm shields. Bodice, bust 34, waist 24, shoulders 15, length 18, sleeve 25" to end point. Skirt waist 29, one extra inch for the hooks and eyes for closure 28" true waist, hips well over 40, front length 40, back train length 58. Lace jet mesh front panel 40" in length. Beautiful and RARE extra well made fancy dinner ensemble. Feather cluster for head dress 8" tall. Feathers need a band or bobby pin to attach to hair. Sold as is and no returns. If I have missed a tiny dot or flaw my apologies. 99% of this gown is lovely. I am downsizing a portion of my collection and need more space. SORRY, NO MORE OFFERS EXTENDED ON THIS ENSEMBLE. All sales final. NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING. Thank you.