The Powel Veil
Powel Veil History:
The Powel Veil is a unique symbol of family, commitment and love dating back generations. It has adorned brides within the Powel family, reportedly by Powel family lore since 1870 and, itself, has an interesting history: Lillie Moulton (nee Greenough), niece of Harriet Howard Fay (Fay House, Cambridge - the beginning of Radcliffe), a cousin on Ann Corson Ellis Powel’s side, was sent to England and Paris to train as an operatic singer. In Paris she literally ran into Doña María Eugenia Ignacia Augustina de Palafox-Portocarrero de Guzmán y Kirkpatrick, 16th Countess of Teba and 15th Marquise of Ardales (hereafter known as Eugenie) while ice skating, or rather Eugenie ran into her and fell. Lillie helped her up and they became fast friends. Lillie was invited to sing at court and stayed in Europe for several years. All this is recounted in her autobiography "In the Courts of Memory", written under her second married name Lillie de Hegermann-Lindencrone (her first husband, Moulton, died young). So the Ellis and Powel side actually first made a connection, of sorts, in the 1850's in Paris and the veil ended up in the Powel family much later. The Countess, also known as, Eugénie de Montijo, was the last Empress consort of the French from 1853 to 1871 as the wife of (Louis) Napoleon III, Emperor of the French.
The Countess and Emperor had their own romantic story to tell as referenced in Wikipedia (Some aspects of his story are a little less romantic, but I digress): She first met Prince Louis Napoléon after he had become president of the Second Republic (of France), with her mother, at a reception given by the "prince-president" at the Elysée Palace on April 12th, 1849. In a speech on 22 January 1853, Napoleon III, after having become emperor, formally announced his engagement, saying, "I have preferred a woman whom I love and respect to a woman unknown to me, with whom an alliance would have had advantages mixed with sacrifices". (Could be that he was actually snubbed by a few who's social position held more clout, but he was a politician and knew how to spin his story. ) And so began a tale of love and commitment symbolized by the veil which has been passed down for generations. This part is all true!
The Veil:
White Brussells Point and Applique was purchased by Hope Ives Binney Powel… with money given her by Auntie Shephard (Mrs. T Shephard) from an auction in Paris, of items from Princess Eugenie Marie de Monijo (1826-1926); wife of Napoleon III, whom Princess Eugenie had married in 1853. Given that the Pricess lived far beyond the date of the sale (1870), it may be that the "estate sale" referenced in the Powel lore was actually more a kind of a royal garage sale.
Estate of Hope I Powel, August 4th, 1926
Distribution of valuable lace, Samuel Powel, as itemized and valued in a letter from Sara Hadley, 1 East 35th St, New York, Dated July 7, 1926 in the possession of Mrs. Hope K H Powel.
White Brussells Point and Applique Shawl………………………………………………………..$1500.00
10 Yards White Tambour lace @ $15.0……………………………………………………………..$150.00
6 pcs. Bruges lace, about 11 yards, 9 inches @ $75.00…………………………………………..$825.00
1” Bruges Lace, narrow, 2 yards, 11 inches @ $18.00………………………………………………$48.00
This last piece is attached to the wider lace and is of different design and more open.
Estimate of repair by
Sara Hadley
The fine white Bruges lace, 2 yards, in since pieces, a little over 11 yards, which is in bad condition, would cost $36.00 to clean ad $50.00 to mend. These pieces can be joined in one or two lengths if you wish.
The narrow Bruges lace, 2 yards, 11 inches, would be included in the above price as there is very little mending on this piece.
Fine Brussells Point and Applique shawl would cost $10.00 to mend.