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The stamps on the inside of the corset. "Thompon's Glove-Fitting" and "Warner's Guaranteed Rust-Proof Corset Clasp"
Apparently rust-proof only applied to the busk. The casing for this bone had come open so I was able to wiggle the bone out a little to look at it. It's made of steel, very similar to modern steel boning. It's been weakened by the rust and has left a rather large orange stain on the corset.
The lace. The lace is a very delicate pattern and must have been beautiful when new.
On the left, a detail of the busk. There's a wide bone underneath the stud portion of the busk. It's the width of the full busk and gives an added layer of support. On the right, a detail of alterations to the top edge of the corset. There are four tucks in the top edge of the corset, taking it in by 2-3 inches. The seam to the left of the boning casing on the left (whew!) is the seam to a bust gusset.
Koshka trying his paw at costume conservation.
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