Objects Database

Ethel Lingren's Windproof Suit

Accession Number

1321.2016.1(a-b)

Object Name

Ethel Lingren's Windproof Suit

Created

23/05/2016

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

23/05/2016

Brief Description

Hooded anorak top with fur edged hood and trousers.Top has two buttoned pockets and drawstring waist. Trousers have drawstring waist and two back pockets.

Materials

cotton?

Dimensions

top - 74(L) x84(W) cms trousers 100(L) x66(W) cms

Number Of Objects

2

Inscription Description

On inside label " ARTHUR BENNETT 38 TRUMPINGTON STREET CAMBRIDGE" handwritten "C RILEY A CROFT"

Colour

cream

Maker

Arthur Bennett

Object Production Place

Cambridge

Provenance

Dr Ethel John Lindgren - Utsi is rather more deserving of a full length feature film or a book, rather than a few lines on our website. Check her out on the internet if you want to know more. From a Scottish Mountain Heritage perspective she, and her second husband, Mikel Utsi, were responsible for re-introducing reindeer to the Scottish Highlands some 960 years after they had become extinct. Ethel and Mikel brought a herd of reindeer over from Sweden in 1952 and the much enlarged herd is thriving in the Cairngorms some 70 years later, having become very much a part of the Highland scene.
Current owners of the herd, Alan and Elizabeth (Tilly) Smith, have kindly donated this fabulous windproof suit which once belonged to Ethel, having been made by " tailor & robemaker," Arthur Bennett of Cambridge in the 1930's. Ethel was a rather large lady, as are the anorak and trousers, and it seems she wore, at least the top, fairly often as we can see from the picture opposite.
Interestingly, there are almost identical anoraks in the Scott Polar Research Institute, one of which was used on the British Graham Land Expedition 1934/37 and another for trials in cold weather clothing during World War Two.
Unfortunately, neither the Scott Polar folk, nor us, know exactly what type of material has been used to make the suit, so we're describing it as 'windproof'. A fabulous edition to our collection whatever.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Alan and Tilly (Elizabeth) Smith

Acquisition Date

23/05/2016

Condition Check Date

23/05/2016

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

23/05/2016

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