u/NeckarBridge

Hello, Lace community!

I have recently come into stewardship of a 1950s Maurer original wedding dress which belonged to my husband‘s grandmother.

The dress is in remarkably good condition considering the fact that it was balled up in a cardboard box in an attic probably since the day that she wore it. It is covered head to toe in lace attached to a nice heavy satin base.

The lace itself is stiff, starchy, and itchy. Despite the delicate beauty, there is nothing soft about it at all; however, it is remarkably well intact.

I have only found one real area of concern on the right hand side where there is some staining, likely due to water damage and a small tear.

I will not be making any rash decisions, my primary goal is to be a good caretaker for this garment as a piece of vintage artwork, and potentially find it a home in a museum collection.

I am not afraid to look into professional care, but I heard you guys might have some tips about how to help with the staining of this lace.

Feedback welcome!

Breathtaking vintage find:

My husband’s family is liquidating the estate of the late great matriarch, and her 1954 Maurer Original wedding dress was balled up in a cardboard box in the attic probably since the day she wore it. It was bound for the dumpster, which I said was positively out of the question.

The garment is remarkably intact. I don’t really see much fault with the lace, the beautiful satin core, etc. with only one sign of tearing and sundry frayed threads around some of the French buttons.

However, there is both yellowing and staining of the lace in certain areas. We also have two delicate lace kerchiefs with tags still on Additionally, the lace is remarkably stiff and starchy, I do not know if this was common for the time, or if that is a sign of age. Regardless, I am posting this to both the vintage fashion community and the laundry community. I am including photographs of areas of staining, which I would love to address if possible. I will not be making any rash decisions. We are in phase 1: research.

Feedback welcome!

Breathtaking vintage find:

My husband’s family is liquidating the estate of the late great matriarch, and her 1954 Maurer Original wedding dress was balled up in a cardboard box in the attic probably since the day she wore it. It was bound for the dumpster, which I said was positively out of the question.

The garment is remarkably intact. I don’t really see much fault with the lace (nor the beautiful satin core, and French bustle etc.) with only one sign of tearing and sundry frayed threads around some of the French buttons.

However, there is both yellowing and staining of the lace in certain areas. Additionally, the lace is remarkably stiff and starchy, I do not know if this was common for the time, or if that is a sign of age. Regardless, I am posting this to both the vintage fashion community and the laundry community. I am including photographs of areas of staining, which I would love to address if possible. I will not be making any rash decisions. We are in phase 1: research.

Feedback welcome!