Officer's coat
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1918
Medium:
Wool, horn, metal, silk
Dimensions:
Overall: 3 x 18 1/2 x 32 1/4 in. ( 7.6 x 47 x 81.9 cm )
Description:
Olive drab wool Medical Corps' officer's single-breasted coat, with 2 1/8" closed stand-up collar (2 sets hooks and eyes), plain shoulder loops which button at the collar; 5 carved horn buttons down the front, 4 pockets, 1 at each breast and hip, all with flaps which button at the center; closed sleeves (no cuffs) with a band of olive drab silk lacing around the wrists, left sleeve has a light blue wool felt patch with "PE / N.Y." at the shoulder, with a single chevron above the wrist lacing; 4 panels at the back of the bodice (skirt not split); all buttons unmarked on reverse, obverse with shield-breasted eagle clutching arrows and branches in its talons, with sunburst of stars above; lined with olive drab silk, vertical slit pocket at the left breast, sleeves lined with white and blue pin striped silk.
Credit Line:
Gift of Kate Breckinridge Prewitt
Object Number:
1997.1
Marks:
applied: to patch on left shoulder: "PE / N.Y."
printed: on maker's label inside interior breast pocket: "MANUFACTURED BY / HEIDELBERG WOLFF & CO. / 644 B'WAY., NEW YORK CITY"
Gallery Label:
This coat was worn by First Lieutenant John McGarvey Prewitt (1883-1957), who served in the Medical Corps during World War I. Originally assigned for duty overseas, when the flu epidemic broke out in 1918, he was reassigned to Camp Mills Base Hospital near Mineola, Long Island. The shoulder insignia identifies New York as the Port of Embarkation. The 1918 flu epidemic claimed the lives of 12,000 New Yorkers, as was one of the worst outbreaks recorded.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1918
eMuseum Object ID:
37304
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Tailcoat
Classification:
Date:
1820-1825
Medium:
Wool, silk, metal, cotton
Dimensions:
Overall: 3 x 17 x 35 1/2 in. ( 7.6 x 43.2 x 90.2 cm )
Description:
Dark blue wool double-breasted (enlisted man's?) tailcoat; 3" closed stand-up collar (2 sets hooks and eyes) lined with dark blue silk, trimmed with gilt lacing; epaulette on left shoulder with 1/8" bullion, plain basket weave strap with button near collar, no evidence of epaulette for right shoulder, 10 buttons down each side of the chest; open false cuffs with 3 buttons on each sleeve; 4 panels at the back of the bodice, with 2 buttons near the center of the waistline, false pockets on each side beneath the waistline with horizontal row of 3 buttons beneath, a bullion star at the bottom of each tail; all buttons cast with eagle perched on a cannon above 3 cannon balls; coat lined with dark blue wool, bodice and shoulder yoke lightly padded and quilted, sleeves lined with white cotton.
Object Number:
INV.11352a
Marks:
cast: reverse of buttons: "LEWIS & TOMES / EXTRA RICH"
Gallery Label:
This uniform was worn by Corporal George A. Ward of the La Fayette Guards, July 4, 1825.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1825
eMuseum Object ID:
37301
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Tailcoat
Classification:
Date:
1820-1835
Medium:
Wool, silk, metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 5 1/2 x 22 x 45 1/2 in. ( 14 x 55.9 x 115.6 cm )
Description:
Red and blue wool artillery officer's double-breasted tailcoat; open 4" stand-up collar with 2 strips gilt lacing from the throat to the shoulder, with buttons at the terminus; buttonholes for epaulettes near the neck; 7 sets of hooks and eyes at the center of the bodice, with detachable plastron which buttons with 9 buttons down each side; open cuffs with 4 buttons around the wrists; 4 panels at the back of the bodice, with 2 buttons at the center of the waistline, tails have 2 false pockets just below the waistline with 4 buttons in a horizontal row beneath, 2 buttons at the inside center of each tail, gold metal embroidered shell and flame insignia on the tip of each tail; collar, plastron, cuffs and trim of tails are red, bodice, sleeves and center of tails are blue; all buttons are cast with eagle perched on a cannon, with 3 cannon balls beneath; bodice lined with black silk, tails lined with red wool, sleeves lined with white silk.
Object Number:
INV.11351
Marks:
cast: reverse of each button: "TREBBLE GILT / AND COLOUR"
Gallery Label:
The original record for this uniform stated that this tailcoat was worn in La Fayette's formal procession of 1824; however, there is no supporting evidence, and the shell and flame insignia wasn't worn by regulation on coat tails until around 1832.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1835
eMuseum Object ID:
37297
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Chapeau (bicorne)
Classification:
Date:
1870-1885
Medium:
Textile, leather, braid, feathers, metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 5 x 15 x 6 1/2 in. ( 12.7 x 38.1 x 16.5 cm )
Description:
Black beaver (textile) chapeau with rigid crown; edges of cock and fan with black ribbon binding and black ostrich trim; cockade with "loop" of intriciately interlaced gold braid over black silk rosette, center disk with "7VC" embroidered in gold on red textile ground, and gilded metal button with initials "NG" in relief between branches of oak and laurel; gold bullion fringe at each corner; brown leather sweatband and pink silk lining.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Philip G. Schermerhorn
Object Number:
1958.123e
Marks:
embroidered: on cockade: "7 V C"
in relief: on button: "NG"
maker's label: inside top of crown: "HORSTMAN BROS. & ALLIEN, / New York."
Gallery Label:
According to the accession records, this chapeau was worn by Lt.-Colonel George Stevens Schermerhorn (1835-1926) of the 7th Regiment, National Guard New York. (The embroidered insignia at the center of the cockade is actually that of the Veteran Corps of the 7th Regiment.) Other uniform parts and accessories owned and worn by Lt-Colonel Schermerhorn are also in the N-YHS Collection.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1885
eMuseum Object ID:
37293
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Shako
Classification:
Date:
1930-1940
Medium:
Wool, other textile, leather, metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 5 1/4 x 9 7/8 x 8 1/2 in. ( 13.3 x 25.1 x 21.6 cm )
Description:
Shako with rigid, cylindrical, black felt-covered crown which is flat-topped and angled forward; wide band of gold metallic cloth tape around upper edge of crown; grommet-reinforced hole for pompon holder; circular gilded metal insignia with number "23" in applied metal on black enameled disk at center, and inscription, "VIGILANTIA / N.G.S.N.Y.," in relief within circular border; gilded metal scale chin strap with black oilcloth backing attached at either side to a hook suspended below a large gilded metal button embossed with crossed rifles; black leather sweatband and black textile lining.
Credit Line:
Gift of Colonel Mortimer Lasky
Object Number:
1950.135g
Marks:
applied metal: on front insignia: "23"
in relief: on front insignia: "VIGILANTIA / N.G.S.N.Y."
maker's label: inside top of crown: "Redbank / SIGMUND EISNER CO."
printed/typewritten: on paper label tucked inside sweatband: "Medical 106th Inf. / Sigmund
Gallery Label:
According to the accession records, this shako was worn by the donor as a member of the Brooklyn-based 23rd Regiment, National Guard New York. Other parts of his uniform are also in the N-YHS Collection.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1940
eMuseum Object ID:
37285
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Forage cap
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1860
Medium:
Wool, other textile, leather, metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 3 x 9 3/4 x 7 in. ( 7.6 x 24.8 x 17.8 cm )
Description:
"Chasseur pattern" dark blue wool felt forage cap; black patent leather visor which is flat and somewhat rectangular; soft crown with circular, countersunk top; black leather chin strap secured at either side by a button embossed with shield-breasted eagle (with "I" in relief at center of shield).
Object Number:
INV.7506
Marks:
maker's label: inside top of crown: "CHARLES OAKFORD & SON. / CONTINENTAL HOTEL / PHILADELPHIA. / COLOR WARRANTED"
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1860
eMuseum Object ID:
37282
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Trousers
Classification:
Date:
1930-1940
Medium:
Wool, cotton, plastic, metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 3 x 14 1/2 x 43 1/2 in. ( 7.6 x 36.8 x 110.5 cm )
Description:
Gray wool officer's trousers with 3" black wool stripe down the side of each leg with narrow gilt lacing at the center; 5 button fly with hook and eye at the top, a tab at the top left which fastens to interior button; 6 buttons around the waistband, right side watch pocket beneath waistband, vertical slit pockets behind the stripes; 2 rear horizontal slit pockets; waistband and pockets lined with white cotton; all buttons are black plastic.
Credit Line:
Gift of Colonel Mortimer Lasky
Object Number:
1950.135b
Gallery Label:
These trousers were worn by Colonel Mortimer Lasky when he served as a Major in the 23rd Regiment (106th Infantry), New York National Guard, ca. 1930-1940. This regiment was a Brooklyn unit. The Society also owns other pieces of Lasky's uniforms.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1940
eMuseum Object ID:
37281
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Tailcoat
Classification:
Date:
1918-1931
Medium:
Wool, silk, metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 3 x 18 3/4 x 38 in. ( 7.6 x 47.6 x 96.5 cm )
Description:
Gray wool New York National Guard single-breasted artillery tailcoat with 2" closed stand-up collar (2 sets hooks and eyes) with black lacing trim around the outer edges and gilt lacing from the throat to the shoulders, with a single button near each shoulder, collar lined with black silk; loops and evidence of epaulette attachments on each shoulder; 3 vertical rows of 10 buttons down the front, with stripes of black lacing relating the rows of buttons horizontally; closed sleeves (no cuffs), with 4 buttons at each wrist against gilt lacing; 4 panels at the back of the bodice with 2 buttons near the center of the waistline, false pockets on the tails with 4 buttons against gilt lacing on the false flaps, shell and flame artillery insignia at the bottomof each tail; all buttons cast with an eagle with a shield in its beak flying above a banner reading "NYSA", encircled by "EXCELSIOR / NATIONAL GUARD"; bodice lined with white silk, lightly padded and quilted, sleeves lined with white silk with blue pin stripes, tails are lined with black silk and have a vertical slit pocket inside each tail.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. Edmond C. Bonaventure
Object Number:
1951.331b
Marks:
cast: on each button: "EXCELSIOR / NATIONAL GUARD"
stamped: reverse of each button: "RIDABOCK & CO. / N.Y."
embroidered: on maker's label, inside left breast: "Ridabock & Co. / New York"
Gallery Label:
This artillery coat was worn by Private Edmond C. Bonaventure, who served in the 7th Regiment of New York State's National Guard from 1918-1931. The Society also owns other pieces of Bonaventure's uniforms.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1931
eMuseum Object ID:
37279
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Coat
Classification:
Date:
1930-1940
Medium:
Wool, silk, metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 3 x 19 x 33 3/4 in. ( 7.6 x 48.3 x 85.7 cm )
Description:
Gray wool New York National Guard's Major's single-breasted dress coat, with 2 1/4" closed stand-up collar (2 sets hooks and eyes), black collar with gilt trim, with insignia near the throat on both sides, insignia shows a Greek cross with "23" at the center encircled by a blue ribbon reading "VIGILANTIA / NG / SNY"; 9 buttons down the front which terminate at the waistline of narrow, short skirt; closed sleeves have black false cuffs and Major's rank gilt sleeve knots; 4 panels at the back of the bodice with 2 buttons near the center at the waistline; collar lined with brown silk, bodice lined with white silk, skirt lined with black silk, vertical slit pocket at the left breast.
Credit Line:
Gift of Colonel Mortimer Lasky
Object Number:
1950.135a
Gallery Label:
This dress coat was worn by Colonel Mortimer Lasky when he served as a Major in the 23rd Regiment (106th Infantry), New York National Guard, around 1930-1940. This regiment was a Brooklyn unit. The Society also owns other pieces of Lasky's uniform.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1940
eMuseum Object ID:
37278
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Forage cap
Classification:
Date:
1860-1890
Medium:
Wool, other textile, leather, braid, metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 3 1/4 x 10 x 6 5/8 in. ( 8.3 x 25.4 x 16.8 cm )
Description:
"Chasseur pattern" dark blue wool felt forage cap; black patent leather visor which is rigid and somewhat rectangular; circular, countersunk top with braid applied in simple radial pattern of four loops; single strips of braid applied vertically on center front, center back, and on either side of crown, joining a single horizontal strip applied about one inch from base; "23" in white metal numbers attached in front; gilded metal chin strap buttons embossed with New York State shield surmounted by an eagle (chin strap missing); brown leather sweatband and brown textile lining.
Credit Line:
Gift of John C. Mills
Object Number:
1957.134d
Marks:
painted in red: inside top of crown: "B"
Gallery Label:
This cap was apparently worn as part of the uniform of the 23rd Regiment, National Guard New York. Other parts of the uniform were also given by the donor.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1890
eMuseum Object ID:
37276
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.









