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Coat
Identifier:
2008.48.55Description:
This white sports coat is made of linen and features padded shoulders and notched lapels. There is a patch pocket on either side of the waist and a welt pocket on the proper left breast. There are also three buttons on each sleeve cuff. This coat has two buttons down the center front and a center vent on the back. The interior is lined with white material and there is a maker label that reads "Mays of Michigan, Since 1883". There is also a label that reads "Halston" and two other labels that list the care instructions.This donation came from the home of Dr. Willis L. and Mrs. Ruth Dixon who lived in East Grand Rapids from 1953 to 2008 and was used by Mr. Dixon. The fashion items in this collection are stylish, high quality and represent popular brand name labels.
Date:
circa 1950 – 1970Materials:
Wool, SatinDimensions:
32" h 2" w 12" dCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift Of Willis And Ruth DixonRelated Entities:
Halston (creator)Roy Halston Frowick, known mononymously as Halston, was an American fashion designer who rose to international fame in the 1970s. A. May and Sons (creator)
Alternate names: May's, Mays Of Michigan, The Giant
A. May & Son’s, also known as May’s of Michigan, was a men’s wear store based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The store was founded as the Giant Clothing Store by German merchant Abraham May in 1883 at Monroe and Lyon Streets, Grand Rapids and was nicknamed “the Giant”. After two years at the University of Michigan, Abraham's son Meyer May and other children in the family joined their father's business and the name of the store was changed to A. May & Son’s. It was the first store in the nation to display clothing on Batts hangers, an important first in the merchandizing of clothing. Meyer May became president of the company after his father's death in 1906. Meyer May and his wife Sophie Amberg were also known for their private residence designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Today the house is operating as a museum by Steelcase Inc. A. May & Son’s remained in the family until 1967, when it was purchased by Botany Industries. Norman Talmo, a former Botany executive purchased the store in 1972. The downtown store closed in 1986 and the building was demolished for parking in 1988.
Source: Michael Hauser and Marianne Weldon. Images of America, 20th Century Retailing in Downtown Grand Rapids. Arcadia Publishing: Charleston, 2014. Jeff Dixon (donor) Ruth Dixon (is related to)
Ruth Kenworthy Dixon was a volunteer for more than 60 years for medical, health, and other charitable organizations. Born in Richmond, IN., and raised chiefly in Columbus OH. Dixon came to Grand Rapids - the hometown of her husband Willis L. Dixon (Jr.) (1922-2008) - as a young mother in 1953 after he was discharged from the U.S. Navy. The couple met in 1947 in Philadelphia, where he was a medical student and she was a social worker, and married in 1948. The couple had three children: Mark E. Dixon, Jeffrey E. Dixon and Jane Elizabeth Moore. Beginning in the early 1950s, the chief focus of Dixon's volunteer energies was the Kent County and Michigan chapters of the American Medical Society Auxiliary, an association of doctors' wives that advocated on health-related issues. Dixon also loved fashion, and rarely discarded a garment. Many of her outfits were donated to the Grand Rapids Public Museum among other items. (Obituary, Published in the Grand Rapid Press, Nov 17-Nov 21, 2013) Willis L. Dixon Jr. M.D. (used by)
Willis L. Dixon (Jr.), M.D. was a 45 year physician of internal medicine. Dr. Dixon was a 1940 graduate of Ottawa Hills High School, attended DePauw University, served in the U.S. Army, received his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical School in 1948, completed his medical residency at Harper Hospital, Detroit, then served from 1950-53 in the Navy medical corps during the Korean War. Willis Dixon and his wife Ruth returned to Grand Rapids in 1953 after he was discharged from the U.S. Navy. The couple met in 1947 in Philadelphia, where he was a medical student and Ruth was a social worker, and married in 1948. They had three children: Mark E. Dixon, Jeffrey E. Dixon and Jane Elizabeth Moore. Dixon joined the medical staff at St. Mary's Hospital in 1953, and opened an office in the Medical Arts Building on Sheldon Ave., which he served until 1992. (Obituary, Published in Grand Rapids Press from Jul. 3 to Jul. 7, 2008.).
