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Dress of Sarah Childress Polk, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., circa 1940

Subjects
PortraitsWomen's History
Card type
Linen
Date
c. 1930 (White Border)
Front of Dress of Sarah Childress Polk, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., circa 1940, c. 1930 linen postcard
Front
Back of Dress of Sarah Childress Polk, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., circa 1940, c. 1930 linen postcard
Back

About this postcard

A mannequin display of the blue silk gown worn by Sarah Childress Polk, wife of President James K. Polk, shown in profile beside a small inlaid table with a bonnet and book. The dress, with its puffed sleeves and heavy dark lace trim, was part of the Smithsonian's celebrated First Ladies collection of inaugural gowns, long displayed in the U.S. National Museum (now the Arts and Industries Building) in Washington. Sarah Childress Polk (1803–1891) served as First Lady from 1845 to 1849 and was known for her strict, formal management of the White House.

Postcard Details

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PublisherCurteich
DRESS OF SARAH CHILDRESS POLK U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION --- POST CARD PLACE ONE CENT STAMP HERE GENUINE CURTEICH-CHICAGO "C.T. PHOTO-COLORIT" POST CARD (REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.)
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Postcard record

PublisherCurteich
Series4A-H2184
ConditionVery good
Place mentionedSmithsonian Institution
PublisherCurteich, Chicago, IL
NotesLinen-textured stock with a black border and deckled (scalloped) edges; card number printed vertically at lower right. No postmark; unused card. Divided-back Curteich "C.T. Photo-Colorit" stock with vertical imprint serving as divider, linen texture, white border with deckled edge; light toning/soiling along top edge.

Cite this card

Dress of Sarah Childress Polk, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., circa 1940, postcard, c. 1930. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/dress-of-sarah-childress-polk-smithsonian-institution-washin. Accessed October 25, 2026.