Since writing the book, “A History and a Guide to Collecting Ladies’ Antique Skirt Lifters”, Carole has continued her collection.  The book contained details of 160 skirt lifters.  Her collection now is probably nearer twice that number.  One of her latest acquisitions is a rather usual design in that it is advertising the manufacture’s shop where the items were sold.  A marketing ploy as well as a skirt lifter!

Carole is not the only one with unusual interests; there is a considerable amount of information on William Whiteley and his entrepreneurship on line. Wikipedia, and Wikimedia commons for instance have several pages of information, including details of his murder by a young man who claimed to be his son.  From small beginnings in Yorkshire, William Whiteley built a vast empire and was known, as it says on the skirt lifter above, as a “universal provider”.  The business in Westbourne Grove, London, W, was sold on by his legitimate sons in 1927 and the shop became known as Selfridges. 

Another acquisition is “The Newmarket Patent”, as detailed below.  This item may be incomplete as it is it is difficult to see how the lifter would safely secure the skirt. It may well have had an additional locking device from the bottom.  If anybody has a complete Newmarket Patent skirt lifter Carole would be delighted to see photos of the item. The Newmarket Patent in the open position.  The end of the bottom left-hand side could have had an additional piece to secure the skirt.