c.1902. A corset with a removable busk made from light drab colored coutil and lined in white cotton drill. The corset is stamped on the inside of the busk in black ink with the brand name Menzies along with a warning that the corset was a "Protected by Royal Letters Patent". Royal letters patents were a form of copyright used only in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries.
The front has a removable busk with a wide and thick busk protector backing it, which laces to the front sides of the corset. This enabled the busk and busk protector to be removed for easy laundering thereby preventing it from rusting and also allow for slight adjustment in size. The only other boning found in the corset are the side steels and the back steels on each side of the brass grommets. Cording gives the body the required support along with quilting at the bust. The top of the corset is trimmed with drab colored lace with blue baby ribbon inserts. Dark teal "X" shaped flossing decorates the side steel bone casings.
The Menzies corset was advertised in the 1902 John Noble catalogue (Manchester) as costing 4 shillings and 11 pence for sizes 19" to 30" waist, 5 shillings and 11 pence for sizes over 30" and 2 shillings and 6 pence for "Maid's" sizes. The catalogue also states that an extra busk and directions were supplied with each pair of Menzies corset. Measurements: Bust 40", Waist 32", Hips 39", Busk length 14".

From the collection of L. Hidic
corsetsandcrinolines.com

AntiqueCorsetGallery Home