Salesman's sample book

Unknown1784

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
New York, United States

461 swatches of fabric pasted on cards arranged in an accordion fold book. Manufacturer's number on each swatch. Book covered in marbleized paper. Samples are either cotton warp and cotton weft or linen warp and cotton weft. Contains examples of block printing.

Show lessRead more

Details

Title: Salesman's sample book
Creator: Unknown
Date Created: 1784
Type: Salesman's sample book
Rights: Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. Samuel W. Bridgham
Medium: Medium: marbleized paper, cardboard, cotton, linen Technique: printed on plain weave, twill weaves, float weaves (damask), supplementary weft pile (velveteen). 108 examples are block-printed.
Viewing Notes: Multiple Choice: From Sample to ProductThe technique for weaving Manchester velvets, long-wearing cotton textiles used for men's waistcoats and breeches, was a closely guarded manufacturers' secret. In a famous example of industrial espionage, English expatriate John Holker secretly handed over more than one hundred samples of Manchester velvet and other British textiles to the French.
Inscribed: Ex HB or FB N5 (?) & Co 18 Mrch 1784
Exhibitions: Color by the Yard: Printed fabric 1760 to 1860. Nov. 2, 1987 to March 13, 1988.New York: Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, "Multiple Choice: From Sample to Product," Nov. 9, 2007 through Sept. 11, 2008.
Dimensions: H x W (closed): 24.8 x 16.5 cm (9 3/4 x 6 1/2 in.)H x W (open): 24.8 x 259.1 cm (9 3/4 in. x 8 ft. 6 in.)H x W (each swatch): 2.5 x 4.1 cm (1 x 1 5/8 in.)

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Zoom in

View in Augmented Reality

Book Damask Linen Textile Twill Weaving Yarn

Interested in Crafts?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

No, thanks

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.