Vintage 1950s Photos of Harlem Milliner Jessie Laurent Harper, Hat Designer, 8x10 and Proof Sheet
Vintage 1950s Photos of Harlem Milliner Jessie Laurent Harper, Hat Designer, 8x10 and Proof Sheet
About 20 years ago I bought clothing and many hats from the estate of Harlem milliner Jessie Laurent Harper. Everything is long sold except for these photos that I had held onto. From what I have been able to find out about her, Mrs. Harper was a milliner who worked out of her apartment on West 124th Street in Harlem. She designed hats for herself and did special custom designs for her clients and for local fashion shows put on by Church organizations and ladies' groups. She also modeled in the local fashion shows.
The 8x10 photo of Jessie and a proof sheet with 12 photos of Jessie, show her posing in her Harlem home. They were promotional photos take to promote her business. Plus there is a small 2-1/2x3-1/2 inch photo. Writing on the back notes the date of March 5th, 1954.
The photos are in good condition. Some wear and creases around the edges. The proof has more wear on the edges and has been partially cut in one corner. Numbers are written on the 12 images.