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Not currently on display at the V&A

Sample Book

1795 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Bound sample book containing different types, qualities and colours of cassimere or kerseymere cloth. Three are 42 leaves consisting mainly of stiffened pages of samples interleaved with thinner pages of blotting-type paper.

39 pages contain samples: Page 2 has 63 samples; Page 5 has 135; Page 7 has 134; Page 9 has 127; Page 11 has 132; Page 13 has 122; Page 15 has 125; Page 17 has 126; Page 19 has 121; Page 21 has 115; Page 23 has 106; Page 25 has 117; Page 27 has 102; Page 29 for 135; Page 31 has 176; Page 33 has 172; Page 35 has 171; Page 37 has 164; Page 39 has 171; Page 40 has 85 and Page 42 has 102.

The samples are given stock numbers, which run in a sequence (except for the first and last pages) through all the recto pages and all the verso pages. Each page has capital letters next to various of the samples, possibly the initials of the weaver or client, and some have descriptions including kersey, second, sc.d fini, Tag (especially see p.11 verso).

The volume is bound in green leather reinforced at the spine with brown. Watermarks on the blank pages include 'J Whatman' and 'GR' with crown and Britannia.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Binding: Green vellum stationery binding with three leather straps across spine with decorative lattice work made from strips of vellum. Single fold sewn in endpapers, two colour worked endbands. Woven wool, paper and leather bound
Brief description
Bound sample book containing different types of cassimere or kerseymere cloth, made in England, 1795.
Physical description
Bound sample book containing different types, qualities and colours of cassimere or kerseymere cloth. Three are 42 leaves consisting mainly of stiffened pages of samples interleaved with thinner pages of blotting-type paper.

39 pages contain samples: Page 2 has 63 samples; Page 5 has 135; Page 7 has 134; Page 9 has 127; Page 11 has 132; Page 13 has 122; Page 15 has 125; Page 17 has 126; Page 19 has 121; Page 21 has 115; Page 23 has 106; Page 25 has 117; Page 27 has 102; Page 29 for 135; Page 31 has 176; Page 33 has 172; Page 35 has 171; Page 37 has 164; Page 39 has 171; Page 40 has 85 and Page 42 has 102.

The samples are given stock numbers, which run in a sequence (except for the first and last pages) through all the recto pages and all the verso pages. Each page has capital letters next to various of the samples, possibly the initials of the weaver or client, and some have descriptions including kersey, second, sc.d fini, Tag (especially see p.11 verso).

The volume is bound in green leather reinforced at the spine with brown. Watermarks on the blank pages include 'J Whatman' and 'GR' with crown and Britannia.
Dimensions
  • Length: 462mm (closed) (Note: Measured in Book Conservation measuring box)
  • Width: 333mm (closed) (Note: Measured in Book Conservation measuring box)
  • Depth: 130mm (closed) (Note: Measurement taken with no pressure to warped boards)
  • Weight: 3.68kg
  • Height: 300mm (Dims when open at 45 degree angle)
  • Width: 590mm (Dims when open at 45 degree angle)
  • Depth: 460mm (Dims when open at 45 degree angle)
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Cassimeres Sepr. 24th 1795' (Inscribed on the first page)
  • 'J Whatman' and 'GR' [with crown and Britannia.] (Watermarks on the blank pages)
Object history
Purchased. Registered File number 1989/1555.
The pattern book is associated with Joseph Dommett, clothier of Selwood, Frome, Somerset, whose descendants sent it for auction.
Collection
Accession number
T.350-1989

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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