Object number
74/4
Description
Shepherd's fustian coat bought by William Simmonds c.1914 from a man near Fovant, who was glad to exchange it for a Burberry and some cash.
This is a shepherd's coat made of fustian bought by William Simmonds about 1914 from the man who was wearing it, near Fovant, now Wiltshire, who was glad to exchange it for a Burberry and some cash. The jacket is single breasted, beige, made from a double layer of fustian interfaced throughout with coarse woven hessian.
Label Text
Fustian jacket. Initially worn by a shepherd near Fovant, Wiltshire, this fustian jacket was sold to a local actor named William Simmonds in 1914. Simmonds then wore the jacket during village plays over the next 25 years. It is made from a double layer of fustian, interfaced throughout with coarse woven 'hessian' material. Shepherds needed their jackets to be durable as they could not afford to buy replacements regularly, due to low wages. For example, in 1850, an average shepherd's wage in Dorset was £26 per year, whereas a cook earned £40.
Archival history
MERL Catalogue Form (temporary) – ‘Jacket, fustian // Date:1910s, Place of origin: Hampshire, Farant // Mrs E. Simmonds, Oakridge, Glos // Description: Single breasted, beige, fustian jacket made from double layer of fustian, interfaced throughout with coarse woven “hessian” material. The inside back section lined with a layer of dull green woollen material 2 deep flapped pockets outside, from waist to hem. Inside, from waist to hem 2 inside pockets on each side. Fastened with 2 bone buttons remaining on front fastening of the jacket. At the back there are two decorative buttons at waist level, one wooden and one hem. Further history: donors note “Shepherds coat of fustian bought by William Simmonds about 1914 from the man who was wearing it, near fovant, Hants, who was glad to exchange it for a Burberry and some cash”. William Simmonds used this and jacket no 73/5 in village plays in 1920’s and 1930’s.’
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