A Marge Champion Costume from "Show Boat."...

Description

A Marge Champion Costume from "Show Boat." Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1951. Comprising four pieces: 1) a dress made of wool in a navy blue, light blue and purple plaid, attached sash with decorative pinkish-mauve "ball" trim, stays in bust, hook-and-eye back closure, label reads "1520 7937 Marge Champion," orange paper MGM drycleaning tag; 2) a matching bolero-style jacket (the current navy blue frog closures are later replacements); 3) a navy blue cotton blouse, short sleeves, lace trim on collar and sleeves, snap back closure; and 4) a matching navy blue wool cap with same decorative "ball" trim as sash; worn by the dancer as she portrayed "Ellie May Shipley" in the musical that co-starred Ava Gardner, Kathryn Grayson, and Howard Keel. (Please note that there are a number of moth holes in the garment, but they do not affect the overall appearance.)

PROVENANCE:
This costume was originally purchased at the now-famous 1970 MGM Auction by the current owner's mother.

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