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Historic Richmond Town

Object Record

front view
3/4 front view
side view
back view of jacket
3/4 front view of cap
detail of sash
portrait of Max Schmidt
Max Schmidt and his "Band White and Gold"
postcard, Max Schmidt
Max Schmidt (at right), Midland Beach, Staten Island, 1927
Object Name Uniform
Alternate Name Band Uniform
Date ca. 1900-1930
Description Man's 2-piece bandleader uniform of cream wool. Consists of jacket and pants with extensive gold soutache braiding. Jacket has a standing collar and white braid trim down the front opening and around the hem. Shoulders have rectangular epaulets with the word "Director" in coiled metallic wire (purl). White braid chevrons at cuffs. Pants have button fly front closure. White braid trim down the sides of the pant legs, with soutache braiding on each side of the trim and on the front of the pants. Matching cap has short cylindrical crown with slanted top and white plastic visor. White velvet band around crown has applied gold metallic coiled wire decoration of an American eagle and shield with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" embroidered in a banner, and a leaf and acorn pattern on either side of the eagle. Brown ribbon band above the visor is attached with a copper button at each end. Brown leather headband. A related satin ribbon sash is marked "Max Schmidt's / 'Band White & Gold' / 1906."
(Keywords: Fashion, Music, Bands, Performer, Early Twentieth Century, Accessory, Hat, New York)
Acquisition Gift of Mrs. Walter S. Carell
Ownership and History This bandleader's outfit was presented to the Staten Island Historical Society in 1963 by the daughter of Max Schmidt, its original owner. Max Schmidt and his "Band White and Gold" were popular entertainers at Midland Beach, Staten Island in the early 1900s.
Earliest Date 1900
Latest Date 1930
Subjects Clothing & dress
Musicians
Band uniforms
Lexicon Sub-category Clothing -- Outerwear
Associated People Schmidt, Max Frederick
Catalog Number C01.3189
Support Acknowledgment Online Collections Database record made possible by The Coby Foundation, 2009.
Legal Status Images and text in this database are copyrighted by the Staten Island Historical Society unless otherwise noted. Items represented here are from the collections of the Staten Island Historical Society. Materials reproduced for personal non-commercial use must credit the Staten Island Historical Society. Commercial licensing is available.