Rubber or Vulcanite Dress Bones

[Drygoods]

Good Day All,

While thumbing through my 1856 "Illustrative and Descriptive Catalogue of India Rubber and Gutta Percha Goods Produced by George M. Davis & Brother of Boston, Massachusetts," I was caught up in the section of ladies dress boning, which is sadly lacking in my collection. (my collection being mostly women's dress buckles and jewelry made of rubber and vulcanite) These fellows were dealers for Goodyear and the India Rubber Company.

Dress and Stay boning was sold is various sizes from 7 to 16 inches in length and in bundles of 100 pieces per set, costing from .65 cents to $1.80. What I would like to know, can anyone tell me what markings the boning might have, such as; IRC or Goodyear 1851 stamped on the bones, and what colors did they come in? Not all rubber or vulcanite items were black, although black was the most common. Does anyone here have antique clothing with boning of this kind?

[Carolann Schmitt]

Re: Rubber or Vulcanite Dress Bones

Do you have Mike Woshner's book India-Rubber and Gutta-Percha in the Civil War Era: An Illustrated History of Rubber & Pre-Plastic Antiques and Militaria. [Alexandria, VA: O’Donnell Publications.]?

Mike is recognized as the authority on this subject and his book has a wealth of information on the topic. He's also very approachable and is happy to answer questions.

Regards,

[Drygoods]

Re: Rubber or Vulcanite Dress Bones

Mrs. Schmitt, Yes I have enjoyed that book, although I do not recall that he mentions dress boning. My hope is that someone here has one in their antique clothing collection and can identify the hallmarks. Lotsa hope on this one. And also, your recommendation is a good one, everyone should read Woshner's book.