Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-02-15
HISTORY OF GLOVES.
Where Those Now in Use Come From and
How They Are Made.

Like most of the refnements and
luxuries of the present time, the true
introduction of the glove dates very far
back, even to where they were first
used by the Persians as a protection
from cold. In the early Middle Ages
gloves became quite common among
knights, priests and ladies, bat not I'M
til the time of Louis XIV did they grow
to be an Indispensable part of every
elegant dress for both sexes. Talking
to large importer in this city the
other day, some interesting facts and
figures regarding gloves were gathered.
First he said that all gloves used in
this country were brought from Europe,
some merchants having their goods sent
direct, while others and the greater pro-
portion, bought from large importing
houses in New York. He promised by
saying, this referred to articles for
women's wear, for in Gloversville, New
York, the name of the town is derived
from large manufactures devoted to
making heavy gauntlets of buckskin
and dogskin used by men alone. In
Chicago and other big cities one can
have their gloves made to order, but in
no way does it form one of the indus
tries of this country. There is q
popular superstition existing that
few kids are sacrificed to supply
the market, which is a mistake
where genuine French goods are
concerned. In some hundred years
or more France has been the general
depot for fine skins from all parts of the
world. Italy, Switzerland, Ireland,
South America and the East Indies,
make regular shipments to various
French ports, knowing the demand is
invariably steady. Great care is re-
quired in preparing kid leather for
gloves. 1t is necessary that the animal
shall be killed young, because feeding
on heritage Injuries it for this purpose.
The skin is cleaned in running water,
and having been Stacked with cream
of lime, every particle of hair is re-
moved with pincers. The process of
sleeping, washing and soaking is very
elaborate, and it is calculated 60, 000,-
900 eggs are used in preparing glove
leather in England and France. The
French excel in producing the delicate
tints SO desirable, their superiority be-
ing attributed to the exceeding dry
ness of the atmosphere.
The greatest obstacle to success met
by manufacturers was the difficulty of
securing pattern to family approach
a proper fit for the countless thousands
demanding ready-made gloves. Xavier
Jouvin, the celebrated maker, was the
first to reduce cutting to science, and
in this connection the importer re-
marked, not half dozen genuine Jou-
vim kids were sold during year in
New Orleans. Many are stamped in
his name, bus 80 fine and elegant are
every pair of gloves finished in the fa-
nous Parisian factory few were willing
to pay the attendant high price.
Jouvin was brought up as working
glover, and it was only after expert
menting with self-acquired geometrical
knowledge, through many trials and
disappointments, that he was finally
rewarded with success and fortune.
Gloves are not only cut by machinery,
but sets of tiny teeth prick holes for
the seamstress to slip her needle through
in sewing up the numerous seams.
The glove sewer usually begins by put
ting in the thumb and its gussets; she
then sews the long seam from the wrist
to the tip of the little finger, puts in
the finger gusset and then sews the
fingers.
The finest gloves in the trade come
from Paris, Grenoble. Milhan and Mirt,
though an excellent quality are made
in Naples and Brussels. An interesting
fact was related by the well-informed
gentleman, who said that in the town
of Grenoblc 10000 people were steadily
employed in the glove business, manu-
featuring something like 100000 pairs
annually. St. Anne, the mother of the
Virgin, is the patroness of all French
glovers, and every year a holiday is
celebrated there in her honor. A statue
has been raised in Grenoble to the
saint, who is represented knitting with
q glove in her hand and several more
in basket at her feet.-M. o. Times
Democrat.
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