Northern Society of Costume and Textiles
THE NORTHERN SOCIETY
OF COSTUME AND TEXTILES

Sample from Pattern Pack 4Image: Sample Page from Pattern Pack 4.

Extract from Historical Notes for Pack 4 :

... The dress from  which this pattern was taken, comprising a bodice and skirt, was worn by Marion Richardson, Mayoress of Hull in 1896 during her husband's third term of office, presumably for some formal evening reception. Her husband, Alderman Charles Richardson, died in 1898, aged 54, two years after leaving office.  He was a director of a firm of grocers and tea dealers and latterly, along with their two children, had lived in some style at Drewston Manor, South Cave - a village west of Hull.

In 1974 a Miss E M Richardson, presumably a descendent of one of these children, presented the dress to the Kingston upon Hull City Museums and Art Galleries as one worn by Marion Richardson and made by Madame Clapham. 

It is the name 'Madame Clapham' associated with a garment, particularly from this period until the Great War - which was her 'golden age' . Emily Clapham arrived in Hull in 1887 ...