Album of textile fragments, page 6

A page from one of two albums of textile samples. The album is an important record of 19th century fabric design, and includes pieces of clothing worn at court and by members of the royal family. They also contain pieces of fabric from the interiors of stately homes and castles.

Several fabric swatches are labelled as coming from Queen Victoria's (1819-1901) clothing in the 1840s. They shed light on the clothing she wore in a period for which almost no clothing survives. One is labelled 'Queen Victoria's dress at the Christening of the Prince of Wales 1842' along with rosettes worn by attendees at the event.

The albums were assembled by Catherine Milburgha Hartshorne (1836-1907). Rev. Charles Henry Hartsthorne (1802-1865) was a clergyman, antiquary and historian. The albums were passed down in her family, before becoming part of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. We do not know why Hartshorne assembled the albums, but collecting items such shells, butterflies, and stamps was a popular Victorian pastime and hobby.

Some of the fabric samples were given to collection, including one significant example donated by Queen Victoria’s dresser at Windsor, while others were donated by members of the aristocracy.