Evening coat

Jay-Thorpe, Inc.

ca. 1925 · fur · Costume Institute

This fur evening coat is made of two of the most luxurious furs available: ermine and chinchilla. Its opulence is made even more apparent with the presence of an attached full-size fur cape. Jay Thorpe was founded in 1920 by Charles J. Oppenheim, Jr. A specialty retailer, the firm offered custom-made goods as well as French imports. Oppenheim's family was firmly rooted in retail. His father, Charles J. Oppenheim, Sr. (1890-1941) and grandfather, Albert Oppenheim (1832-1914)--who were later joined by Israel D. Levy--founded the New York City department store Oppenheim, Collins & Co. Grandfather Albert had also been associated with Brooklyn department store Abraham & Straus and his grandmother Mary was a member of the Abraham family.

Artist

Jay-Thorpe, Inc.

Date

ca. 1925

Medium

fur

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Charles M. Phinny, 1966