A Burberry single raglan balmacaan coat, estimated from the 1950s.
A truly exceptional arrival.
Highly sought after and commanding significant market value—this is French-made. Produced for Burberry Paris, the affluent clientele of France, this version features softer collar proportions and subtly curved pocket detailing at the waist compared to its British counterpart.
Beyond the already considerable rarity of French manufacture, this piece is cut with a single-piece sleeve—an exceptionally uncommon construction.
Standard Burberry coats employ either set-in or raglan sleeves in two-piece construction. When not sized precisely, this approach creates an unnaturally pronounced shoulder, as though the garment itself carries shoulder pads.
The single-piece sleeve, by contrast, is acclaimed for its elegant shoulder fall. In conventional two-piece raglan construction, seams appear at two points: the upper sleeve and underarm. With a single-piece sleeve, however, the arm is enveloped by one continuous length of fabric, reducing the seam to the underarm alone. This seemingly minor difference profoundly affects silhouette. Because the fabric descends perpendicular to gravity, the single-piece sleeve achieves a truer drop-shoulder proportion and, with it, an inherent elegance.
This explains why the piece works so well oversized—a quality many seek in contemporary dressing.
Single-piece sleeves are extraordinarily rare; perhaps one in a thousand specimens survives, representing roughly one percent of all vintage Burberry production.
This particular coat is constructed in pure cotton—precisely what discerning collectors prefer. Pure cotton possesses a natural weight and finish distinct from cotton-blend alternatives. For those who value vintage, the integrity of natural fibers alone carries real significance.
Pure cotton develops its own patina with wear—a distinctive surface quality that evolves with time. Compared to cotton-synthetic blends, this aging lends an approachability and versatility across various styling possibilities.
The colour is tamamushi—iridescent in the manner collectors actively pursue. The very name elevates its standing; that singular, elusive quality captivates anyone who encounters it.
Tamamushi exists in variations. This is the green-dominant variant, where the iridescence shifts toward deep green rather than amber. This particular tone appears only in the earliest pieces; specimens from the 1970s onward typically display the orange-leaning iridescence.
Cut for women's wear in a proportionally modest frame, this piece will suit those of slight build without compromise.
There is visible wear consistent with its age, yet the coat remains serviceable. Proper restoration would extend its life considerably.
When the season for outerwear returns, collectors inevitably search for single-sleeve Burberry examples. Such pieces grow scarce quickly.
French-made. Single-piece sleeve. Tamamushi. This represents the fullest expression of what Burberry can offer. As a wardrobe piece, it stands beyond reproach; as an asset, it holds undeniable worth. Whether retained as a collection touchstone or studied as a design reference, ownership merits serious consideration.
This is not the sort of garment one simply procures with currency. Future availability cannot be assured.
A Burberry for a lifetime. Should you have been seeking such a piece, this opportunity warrants your attention.
