minstrel costume

British Super Corporation

Summary

Black minstrel costume : Tailcoat, trousers, apron, waistcoat and wig Tailcoat : Green printed floral sateen cotton, faced at cuffs and collar with pink cotton. Four Rococo style brass buttons. Left breast pocket. Unlined. Trousers : Matching green cotton. Drawstring at waist. Unlined. Waistcoat : White cotton with wide navy checks, lined with white cotton. Six pearl buttons. Two pockets either side, with two safety pins in top right pocket. Apron : Beige sacking with cotton band, made from 1/2 a super sack from the "British Super Corporation". Wig : Black wool on cotton canvas. All four items domestically made and machine sewn. Worn by Joseph Towers of Hinckley in Leicestershire, around 1900. He was a shoemaker who performed as a minstrel for church concerts and other local shows.