A fascinating archive giving an insight into the laborious work of a tambour embroiderer at the atelier of Norman Hartnell, dressmaker to royalty and aristocracy, is coming up for sale on 13th February in the Fashion, Costume and Textiles Sale. The archive relates to Mollie Welch of Sydenham, Kent, who was a much-valued member of Hartnell’s team in the 1930s, 1950s and 1960s, hand-stitching beads onto the elaborate creations made for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, and the Duchess of Gloucester.
This sale also includes over 100 lots of antique costume and accessories from a single vendor, collected from London. It includes 18th to 20th century costume, shoes, hats and other costume accessories, silk shawls, haberdashery, children's costume and other treasures.