reproduction Men's Kid Gloves?

[El Dorado]

Does anyone know of a good source for reproduction mid-19th century civilian men's kidskin gloves?

Thank you,
Chris Ownby

[Fishermans wife]

Re: reproduction Men's Kid Gloves?

Chris,

What a great question! I spent many months earlier in the year trying to acquire a pair of reproductions or originals. Purchaed a few pair of antique gloves on ebay that were too small for a man, so now I have plenty for myself. LOL .But no avail for gloves large enough to fit a modern amn's hand. I do hope someone can jump in here with a reccommended source and help us out.

It has been my experience that an original pair will have to be acquired There is only one problem there they must be nearly rare as hens teeth. It seems women's gloves are in abundance due to the fact that wearing gloves was popular in our fashion up until the 1960's. I have no idea when men's gloves ceased being en vogue. I assume it must have been many decades earlier.
Maybe someone can tell us when men's gloves went out of fashion.
Lisa Pace

[Jefferson Guards]

Re: reproduction Men's Kid Gloves?

I was on a mission a few months back to find a pair of Kid gloves. My search led me to this place:

http://www.madova.com/negozio/cat064_l2.htm

It is a manufacturer in Italy, so there are some mis-translations, but the gloves themselves are extremely nice and compare favorably to an 1870 line drawing I have advertising kid gloves.

Hope this helps!

[Drygoods]

Re: reproduction Men's Kid Gloves?

Finding mens kid gloves is a tough problem. I have for many years searched in antique stores and found that is the only reliable way to buy them. The worst part is finding them in the correct colors since mens gloves of that time often were in different shades, such as; grey, lavender, and yellow. I was lucky to find some yellow ones, but would enjoy finding some in the lavender shade. Yellow gloves for men were very hip in the 1860s, and I've found references to that in a few diaries. Capt. John Chestnut wore a pair of yellow gloves back to camp one night and as a joke his buddies grabbed him and rubbed his hands in mud! Funny, but it must have been awful to get them clean again.

And there again is another problem, how to wash kid gloves. If you're really lucky, you might have a grandmother who still has some Marvel-Doe tucked away in a drawer. This product is ideal for washing kid gloves, although I haven't a clue what the chemical is since it isn't listed on the carton. If someone has a solution for washing gloves other than using Orvis, I'd like to hear it. BTW, to wash kid gloves you need to wash them while you wear them and have a fine antique glove clamp (stretcher).

Good luck,
Mfr,
Judith Peebles

[Jefferson Guards]

Re: reproduction Men's Kid Gloves?

The Madova company also has colored men's kidskin gloves. Obviously they don't stock lavender in men's sizes, but they might be able to special order them:

The available kidskin colors are located here: http://www.madova.com/negozio/colori_l2.htm

What they offer in colors for men are available here:

Unlined: http://www.madova.com/negozio/cat056_l2.htm

Cashmere lined: http://www.madova.com/negozio/cat058_l2.htm

Silk lined: http://www.madova.com/negozio/cat057_l2.htm