Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1877 — How Kid Gloves are Made. [ARTICLE]

How Kid Gloves are Made.

G I.o vies have been in use from very early times, being mentioned by such ancieot writers aa Homer and Zenophen. During the middle ages they were worn by certain officials aa a mark of dignity. But as civilization advanced they gradually became common to all classes of the community. In the early part of this century there was no positive regularity in the cut and shape of kid gloves, all being left to the judgment of the cutter, who had no systematic pattern. In 1834 Zavier Jouvin invented a new method ,of cutting out the kid, doing it with geometrical precision. His system is extremely elaborate, having thirty-two sizes, cutting ten widths to each size, In all making thirl ty-two different numbers. Since then other manufacturers have made numerous improvements in shape, finish and stitchiug, and now the best makes have almost reached perfection, and merit the growing demand, which is such that the price of skins have advanced 50 per cent. In the last fifteen years. The term “ kid,” however, is a mere technicality, as the quantity consumed annually of leather bearing this name is largely in excess of what could be supplied from the skins of all the young goats that are annually slaughtered. lamb and other thin skins being extensively u>ed. One of our Newark stores by actual count has retailed 472 pairs in six days, and a certain New York house retails $300,000 worth annually. The value of those manufactured hi France is estimated at 50,000,000 francs, and there are large quantities made in Italy, Germany and England, and a comparative small amount m this country, at Gloversville and New York City. As the sewing of a single pair of ladies’ kid gloves requires 5,000 stitches, for which the continental manufacturers pay about ten cents, it can readily be seen that this industry cannot be carried on extensively in this country. The seams are sewed with perfect regularity by placing the edges to be united In the jaw'sof a vise which terminate in fine brass teeth like those of a comb, but only one-twelfth of an inch long, the stitches being held by a knot to prevent ripping, which used to be a frequent source of trouble. It is necessary that the animal should be killed young, because as soon as it beginsto feed on herbage its skin is impaired for this purpose. Eggs are very extensively used in preparing the skins—it is estimated that (10,000,000 are annually used in Enfland and France alone. In coloring the ids dye is applied to the outer skin with a brush by hand; if the skins were immersed the inner portion would also receive the dye and stain the hand. Fiance excels all in the variety and richness of her colors, which is attributed to her atmosphere and water—producing 200 different shades. Ladies’ sizes run from 5 % to 8; gents’ from ifjjj to 11; misses’ from 4to 0)4- Gents’ are longer in the fingers and higher in the wrist than those of ladies’ off like number, though they arc alike in width, and the misses’ gloves are narrower. —Newark (A. J.) Advertiser. .....