Antique 1910s Tuxedo Tailcoat Formal Tails Semi Ready Montreal Size M

Description

This is a vintage mens tuxedo tailcoat / formal tails, made by the Montreal manufacturer Semi-Ready Ltd.
Semi-Ready has a place in history due to its efforts to break a general strike by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America union in 1916 in the Montreal clothing industry by hiring “scab” workers as well as “protectors”.
In the end the workers won a number of concessions and Semi-Ready continued in business at least into the 1930s.
I happen to own a catalogue that was put out by Semi-Ready for the 1913-1914 season (not included and not for sale) - I’ve attached photos so that you can compare styles.
I’m fairly sure that this tailcoat dates to the 1910s due to the short peaked lapel and the price on the Semi-Ready woven label.
I know that in 1914, Semi-Ready charged for a suit, so the on formal tux tails would seem to be in line.
The tailcoat is made in classic form with padded shoulders, no closure, cut away front with six buttons, two buttons at the back and two buttons at either cuff.
The buttons are covered in a silk.
It is fully lined in black silk satin.
Note that there are no pants included, only the tailcoat.
Sizing: As this was meant to be finished by a tailor, there is no size label, and although this should fit a medium size (US 38-40), please rely on the following measurements for fit, taken from the exterior (please take the thickness of the fabric into consideration):
Shoulders: 19” across shoulder seam-to-seam
Sleeves: 25 1/2” from shoulder seam
Sleeve Inseam: 18 1/2” long
Chest: 42” around, taken under the arms with a normal gap
Waist: 40” around
Overall length: 41“ at the back, measured flat
Condition: This tailcoat suit is in very good condition with no wear, tear, stains or odours, but two of the front buttons are missing - you have the option of using the back buttons to replace the front ones as they are the same size, and using two other buttons on the back, that way you have some flexibility to not have to exactly match the buttons. Otherwise, this looks like it saw very little use, and was very well kept over the years.
This is a wonderful example of Semi Ready production - difficult to find nice examples of men’s formal wear like this!
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