[SHERLOCK HOLMES]. PAGET, Sidney (1860-1908). Sidney Paget's Personal Waistcoat, Which Was Used by Him for an Illustration in "A Scandal in Bohemia." [England: n.d., ca. 1880s-1890s]. Original men's wide-ribbed courduroy waistcoat in brown with brown satin rear panel and adjustable belt. Lining of alternating blue and green pinstripes, two pockets and a watch pocket, six buttons (only four of the buttons match). PAGET'S PERSONAL WAISTCOAT; A UNIQUE ITEM WHICH CAME FROM HIS FAMILY. The vest was used in the illustration, "A Drunken-Looking Groom."
Condition
Age and use wear, soiling, the lining is patched in plain white cloth (two different types of cloth), several repairs to cloth and button-holes (suggesting considerable use by Paget). Very good.
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This vest originally came from Paget's family (Miss Winifred Paget and the Reverend John R. Paget, his children), and was sold by Sotheby's in 1981 (July 22, 1981, part of lot 111). It had been purchased by Ann Byerly Marlowe (bought for her by "Sawyer" (most likely Charles J. Sawyer), on behalf of her agent, George S. MacManus). She had described this vest as "a mix between tawny and a dark mustard brown... [the lining was] originally alternating blue and green pinstripes on a white background..." It is possible that this vest was one of the items on display at the Sherlock Holmes Pub in Northumberland Street, beginning in 1957 (this display lasted for nearly 20 years).