Mess Jacket Prince Adalbert of Prussia (1908) – Imperial Navy, KYC Anchor Buttons & Original Waistcoat

Historical Provenance

This elegant mess jacket with matching waistcoat, formerly owned by Prince Adalbert of Prussia (1884–1948), dates to 1908 and embodies the high quality of courtly and maritime ceremonial attire of the early 20th century. Tailored from the finest dark blue cloth, the jacket features black silk lapel facings as well as a front adorned with two rows of gilded, crowned anchor buttons of the “Kaiserlicher Yacht-Club (KYC)”. Two side pockets and a smooth black silk lining underscore its exquisite craftsmanship. Inside the collar is a hand-embroidered, crowned owner’s label with the monogram “A,” which confirms its direct attribution to Prince Adalbert. The accompanying waistcoat is made of the same high-quality material and demonstrates the same masterful workmanship. Small tears and repairs in the white sleeve lining, along with light signs of wear and age, attest to its authentic use.

Imperial Navy & Training

Prince Adalbert, third son of Kaiser Wilhelm II, received his military training on the Prinzeninsel and in the Prinzenhaus of Plön Castle. On May 31, 1894, he entered the Imperial Navy and later attended the Naval Academy in Kiel, where he trained as a naval officer. This mess jacket corresponds to the typical cut around 1908: a short formal mess jacket ending at the waist, which was worn in naval and aristocratic circles for festive evening events. Typical features include the short cut, the non-closing double-breasted front (or single-breasted variant), and shawl collars or peak lapels, which defined the formal style of this era.

Photographs & Comparative Pieces

Regarding the photographs: You can find sample images at the following link: https://www.kaiser-wilhelm.shop/collections/fotos-adalbert/products/konvolut-bilder-co-und-messjacke-adalbert-von-preussen-ca-1908. They show Prince Adalbert at various stages of his life, including in a mess jacket very similar to the one described here. The frames are not included in the scope of delivery.

Collector’s Significance

This mess jacket is an outstanding object for collectors of Imperial memorabilia, naval uniforms, Prussian history, and items from the personal circle of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The combination of provenance, material quality, KYC symbolism, and photographic documentation makes it a particularly valuable artifact of the Imperial era.

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This refined mess jacket and matching waistcoat, once owned by Prince Adalbert of Prussia (1884–1948), date to 1908 and exemplify the exceptional craftsmanship and formal elegance of early 20th-century naval and court dress. Made from the finest dark blue cloth, the jacket features black silk facings on the lapels and a double row of gilded, crowned anchor buttons of the “Kaiserlicher Yacht-Club (KYC)” across the front. Two side pockets and a smooth black silk lining highlight the garment’s superior quality. Inside the collar lies a hand-embroidered, crowned name label with the monogram “A,” confirming its attribution to Prince Adalbert. The accompanying waistcoat, crafted from the same luxurious material, mirrors the jacket’s high-grade tailoring. Minor tears and repairs in the white sleeve lining, along with light signs of wear, attest to its authentic historical use.

Prince Adalbert, the third son of Kaiser Wilhelm II, received his early military education on the Prinzeninsel and in the Prinzenhaus at Plön Castle. On 31 May 1894, he entered the Imperial German Navy and later attended the Naval Academy in Kiel, where he trained as a naval officer. The present mess jacket reflects the formal style of 1908: a waist-length evening jacket worn in naval and aristocratic circles for dinners, receptions, and ceremonial occasions. Typical features include its short cut, the non-fastening double-breasted front or single-breasted closure, and shawl or peak lapels, all characteristic of early 20th-century formal attire.

For the description of the photographs:
https://www.kaiser-wilhelm.shop/collections/fotos-adalbert/products/konvolut-bilder-co-und-messjacke-adalbert-von-preussen-ca-1908

The frames are not included in the delivery.