A MODE OR METHOD OF COMBINING A SHIRT AND WAISTCOAT OR PORTIONS THEREOF SO AS TO BE WORN EITHER AS A WAISTCOAT AND SHIRT, OR AS A SHIRT ONLY
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Siemon Wenkheim, of the Firm of S. and E.
Wenkheim, of Number 83, Regent Street, Hosiers, for the Invention
of "A MODE OR METHOD OF COMBINING A SHIRT AND WAISTCOAT OR
PORTIONS THEREOF SO AS TO BE WORN EITHER AS A WAISTCOAT AND SHIRT,
OR AS A SHIRT ONLY."
Sealed the 11th September 1868, and dated the 18th March 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Siemon Wenkheim at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
on the 18th March 1868.
I, SIEMON WENKHEIM, of the Firm of S. and E. Wenkheim, of
Number 83, Regent Street, Hosiers, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "A MODE OR METHOD OF COMBINING A SHIRT AND
WAISTCOAT OR PORTIONS THEREOF SO AS TO BE WORN EITHER AS A WAISTCOAT AND
SHIRT, OR AS A SHIRT ONLY," to be as follows:-
I either form the shirt front proper as a plain unpleated front or in
imitation of a close button-up waistcoat, by making it sufficiently long

page_text: to extend below the band of the trowsers, and of such a width and shape
as to complete the waistcoat-like character of that portion of the garment
by the introduction of pockets and the employment of buttons and
waistcoat ornaments. As the lower parts or portions of the waistcoat
shirt front or those portions in which the pockets would be placed in-a
waistcoat form loose flaps they can either be worn outside the trowser
band when in use as a waistcoat, or when no other waistcoat is used; or
it can be worn within the trowser band. Buckles or tapes may be
attached for the purpose of securing them behind and adjusting the
tension. Where a pleated or other kind of ornamental shirt front is
required it is inserted between the waistcoat pieces or sides, and such
insertion may be loose and interchangeable by buttoning in or buttoning
on, or be sewn in, the waistcoat shirt front being suitably shaped for the
purpose, and waistcoat front buttons or studs may be introduced into the
lower portion only of the waistcoat shirt front according to taste.
Where it is desirable that the waistcoat shirt front may be readily
removed from the body of the shirt, or be interchangeable, it is formed
as herein-before described, and attached by means of buttons and by
straps and a buckle or tapes around the back.
The waistcoat portions of the waistcoat shirt front may be made of
plain white or coloured linen, or in cotton or other material, or they may
be figured, embroidered, or otherwise ornamented.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Siemon Wenkheim in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 17th September 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SIEMON
WENKHEIM, of the Firm of S. and E. Wenkheim, of No. 83, Regent
Street, Hosiers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Siemon Wenkheim, Her special licence
that I, the said Siemon Wenkheim, my executors, administrators,

page_text: and assigns, or such others as I, the said Siemon Wenkheim, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "A MODE OR
METHOD OF COMBINING A SHIRT AND WAISTCOAT OR PORTIONS THEREOF SO AS TO
BE WORN EITHER AS A WAISTCOAT AND SHIRT, OR AS A SHIRT ONLY," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Siemon Wenkheim, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Siemon Wenkheim, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, to be as follows:-
I either form the shirt front proper as a plain unpleated front or in
imitation of a close button-up waistcoat by making it sufficiently long to
extend below the band of the trousers, and of such a width and shape
as to complete the waistcoat-like character of that portion of the
garment by the introduction of pockets and the employment of buttons
and waistcoat ornaments. As the lower parts or portions of the
waistcoat shirt front or those portions in which the pockets would be
placed in a waistcoat form loose flaps they can be worn outside the
trouser band when in use as a waistcoat; or when no other waistcoat is
used or it can be worn inside the trouser band. Buckles or tapes may
be attached for the purpose of securing them behind and adjusting the
tension. Where a pleated or other kind of ornamental shirt front is
required it is inserted between the waistcoat pieces or sides, and such
insertion may be loose and interchangeable by buttoning in or buttoning
on or be sewn in the waistcoat shirt front being suitably shaped for the
purpose, and waistcoat front buttons or studs may be introduced
into the lower portion only of the waistcoat shirt front according to
taste.

page_text: Where it is desirable that the waistcoat shirt front may be readily
removed from the body of the shirt, or be interchangeable, it is formed
as herein-before described, and attached by means of buttons and by
straps and a buckle or tape around the back.
The waistcoat portions of the waistcoat shirt front may be made of
plain, white, or coloured linen, or in cotton or other material, or they
may be figured, embroidered, or otherwise ornamented.
I put my Invention into practice by so cutting, forming, and
combining the pieces of material for a shirt as to enable the use of a
waistcoat to be dispensed with, by bringing the lower part or parts of
the garment constructed according to my Invention, which are
dependant or flap-like over the waistband of the trousers. The waistcoat
shirt front thus formed may be varied in shape and form and be
variously combined according to the taste of the wearer.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings I have illustrated some of
the modes or methods in which I prefer to put my Invention into
practice, and have shown some of the varieties in the shape or con-
figuration of the waistcoat portions of the waistcoat shirt front, as also
in the manner of combining together the parts thereof.
Figure 1 illustrates a closed vest or a "button-up waistcoat" shirt in
which the shirt materials may extend only to the outer or surrounding
edges of the waistcoat front down to the waistband or belt; the vest
front may either be in one or two pieces, sewn around or at the
surrounding edge or edges to the shirt material; this shirt is intended
to be opened behind and to be secured when being worn by a button
or stud at the back of the neck. Here the shirt front is formed by a
closed waistcoat piece or waistcoat pieces, with stud holes for studs or
buttons ; and when it is desired to wear the shirt as a shirt and waistcoat,
rendering it unnecessary to wear any other waistcoat, the lower or flap
portions are brought over or outside of the trouser waistband, and when
it is desired to wear an ordinary waistcoat over it these lower or flap
portions are loosened and put inside the trouser band.
sewn
Figure 2 illustrates an open-fronted waistcoat, the parts of which are
to the shirt material, as shown. The pleated shirt front is
introduced or inserted between the waistcoat pieces and sewn thereto.
The lower or flap portions, which when worn over the trowser band are

page_text: tightened by straps or by a belt, and when an ordinary waistcoat is to
be worn with it or over the waistcoat shirt front, they may be tucked into
or be placed within the trouser band. This shirt is shown as opening
behind.
Figures 3, 4, and 5 illustrate the same kind or description of waistcoat
shirt, which is intended to open in front. The two pieces are sewn to
the shirt body, each by a row of stitching on the outer edges from the
collar along the shoulder strap down to the flap. The lower or flap
portions are shown as held close to the body by means of an elastic
band. There are two studs and stud holes and three buttons and button-
holes shown below the neck band or collar. In Figure 3 the waistcoat
portion of the garment is shown as closed and as being worn over the
trouser. In Figure 4 it is closed, but as when intended to be worn
under an ordinary waistcoat. In Figure 5 it is open or unbuttoned, and
without the studs, and as worn over the trouser band. In this view the
waistband of the shirt is shown.
In Figure 6 the waistcoat front is or the waistcoat front pieces are
shown as attached to the shirt by means of buttons, and a band, belt, or
strap, the lower or flap portions being capable of being worn over or
within the waistband of the trouser.
I am aware that detached shirt fronts or "dickies" have long been
known and used, and that waistcoats without backs have been introduced,
but they have neither formed a part of the shirt nor have they been so
formed or adapted as to be attached to the shirt and form a part
thereof, and be worn in conjunction with and beneath an ordinary
waistcoat.
Having now particularly described the nature of my Invention, and
in what manner I prefer to put the same into practice, and having in
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrated some of the shapes or
forms in which I prefer to make the said composite garments, I wish
it to be understood that what I claim is,-
First. Combining a shirt and waistcoat, or portions thereof, so that
the garment may be worn either as a waistcoat and shirt, or as a shirt
only, as herein described.
Second. Forming and combining together in manner described the
parts of a waistcoat or vest and the body of a shirt.

page_text: Third. Forming or making shirts in combination with a waistcoat
piece or waistcoat pieces, having an unattached lower or flap piece as
herein described, and which may be worn outside the trouser or within
the trouser band.
In witness whereof, I, the said Siemon Wenkheim, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
eight.
SIEMON WENKHEIM. (L.S.)
Witness,
GEORGE HIERON,
Clerk to Artizan Patent Office.