The Ramsay wardrobe

Nothing attests so firmly to the importance of appearance in the 18th century as the coats that the men wore! The Ramsay men were dark and slim and surely looked wonderful in the full dress coats and spangles of their age.  The photos of the coats date from their presentation to the Royal Museum of Scotland. They were moved to the Museum of Costume in Shambellie House, Dumfries, but their current location is unknown. However, it’s easy to work out which individuals owned the coats; the one in the first row was actually worn by John Ramsay for his portrait. We also have a bill dated 1699 and made out to his uncle, John Ramsay who died ca 1718. It must have been kept because of the huge sum of £102.71 due to Blackwoods for printed calicos, figured silks, serge and hollands…

A bill dated 1699 made out to John Ramsay

Girls jacket, circa 1740, brown silk, made to fasten in front with buttons covered with tinsel and silver thread. English, 18th century
English Coat, circa 1780, crimson woollen cloth ornamented with applied gold braid embroidered with coloured silks and spangles, late 18th Century.
Coat, circa 1780, crimson woollen cloth ornamented with applied gold braid embroidered with coloured silks and spangles. English, late 18th century.
English coat, circa 1780, crimson wollen cloth ornamented with applied gold braid embroidered with coloured silks and spangles
Coat, circa 1780, crimson wollen cloth ornamented with applied gold braid embroidered with coloured silks and spangles. English, late 18th century.
Photo of a brown silk coat, brocade ornamented with applied bands of silver lace
Brown silk coat, circa 1740, brocade ornamented with applied bands of silver lace