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Rodeo Costume Dress worn by Rodeo Star and Trick Rider Bernice Dean

Catalog Data

Wearer:
Dean, Bernice  Search this
Physical Description:
lace (overall material)
metal (overall material)
velvet (overall material)
Measurements:
overall: 29 in x 32 in; 73.66 cm x 81.28 cm
sleeve: 27 in; 68.58 cm
waist: 32 in; 81.28 cm
Object Name:
dress
Object Type:
costume
Costume
Description (Brief):
Black velvet tunic with white lace sleeves and black velvet cuffs with rhinestones and two snaps. There are white sequins and rhinestones circling the yoke and continue down the front and around to the back. This was handmade and worn by rodeo star Bernice Dean.
Frank and Bernice Dean toured the rodeo circuit for 45 years beginning in the 1930s. They performed all over the world in wild west shows, rodeos, motion pictures, circuses, vaudeville and night clubs until Bernice's death in 1980 and Frank's passing in 1985. They were featured in the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show and were both Guinness World Record holders. According to Frank, Bernice was "the most versatile of all the Cowgirls." She was proficient at shooting, rope spinning, trick riding, whip popping, horse training and showing, juggling and balancing on a rolling globe, knife throwing, roman riding, bronc riding and relay riding.
Location:
Currently not on view
Name of sport:
Rodeo  Search this
Level of sport:
Professional  Search this
Web subject:
Sports  Search this
Women  Search this
Credit Line:
Frank Dean
ID Number:
1984.0088.05
Accession number:
1984.0088
Catalog number:
1984.0088.05
See more items in:
Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b0-a731-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_679536