Antique 1870s past vintage to antique, HUGE BLACK SKUNK FUR ANTIQUE CAPE Circa 1875 - 1914, dense, long, course fur cape, warm, quilted lining, HUGE fold over collar, broad sweep, hook & eyes from neck to hem, in good antique condition with minor drying at edge of collar & a missing hook. Made for warmth.

Measurements:

Length: 23 inches (58. 4 CM)

Collar: 9 inches (22. 9 CM)

Sweep: 93 inches (236. 2 CM)

Brand: J H Bishop Co

Material: Genuine Skunk Fur

Circa: 1901 - 1914

Country of Origin: USA

Condition: very good antique condition. Have not cleaned or glazed it yet, which will likely raise it to excellent condition with minor flaws. One hook and eye is ripped out. There is minor fur loss in the seat, collar is a little dry but for its age, item is in outrageously awesome condition.

AMAZING FUR CAPE, BLACKEST of BLACK, Gothic & unique. This was likely a Sleigh or Auto Fur Robe or made to wear over your fur jacket in inclement weather. I had to lighten the photos to show detail, but this beauty is BLACK, a 'BLACK HOLE' sort of black. I believe it absorbs light, perhaps energy, maybe even your soul.

Not anxious to part with this amazing treasure, so it isn't exactly priced to sell. There are no words... to describe... the fabulousness... of this item.

In 1874, Jerome H. Bishop founded a tannery on the former site of the Wyandot Indian village, selling top quality, fur & leather apparel, until its closure in 1917.

Excerpts from an article published in The News Herald ' Voice of Downriver'

Published: Thursday, September 01, 2011:

When gold was discovered in the Klondike in 1897, the stampede was on. Throughout North America, clerks closed their ledgers, mechanics put down their wrenches, lawyers fled their clients and husbands abandoned their wives in search of adventure and riches along the Yukon trail. Many of those hopeful prospectors cloaked themselves in Bishop furs as they headed north, to Alaska.

The first two decades of the 20th century were a period of transition, when the horse and the automobile existed side by side. The company‰ЫЄs advertising reflected this, describing their wares as both sleigh and auto fur robes. According to the 1909 catalog, prices for fur coats ranged from $15 for the dubious sounding ‰ЫПBishop Black Dog‰Ыќ to more than $200 for a mink. In 1914, the war in Europe caused worldwide disruption in supply and demand. Faced with a loss of markets, the decision was made to end operations.