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Not currently on display at the V&A

Beehive

Sample Book
1930s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Book of tapestry woollen threads grouped in blocks of colours on printed card.

The book unfolds to lie flat, presenting five double columns of woollen threads grouped in blocks of colour, all numbered, with an index giving their places on the card printed on the back. These groups are marked in ink with the names: silver grey, Windsor green, new green, lime green, chrome green dull Green, Andrew's green, marine, steel grey, china blue, dull mauve, crimson, flame, Indian red, smoke greys, Windsor brown, rust gold, orange, straws, grenadier, turquoise.

Two small cards are attached by elastic to show, on one, 10 samples of dark cream to mid-brown; on the other, 12 samples of wools plied in different combinations, in blues, blue-grey, blue-greens and blue-purples that are described as 'MIXTURES', with the explanation 'These original and very beautiful shades are most valuable for producing sea, sky and back ground effects in tapestry. They blend perfectly in the finished work'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBeehive
Materials and techniques
Woollen threads on printed card
Brief description
Book of tapestry woollen threads 'Beehive' on printed card, made by Patons & Baldwins Ltd., Great Britain, 1930s
Physical description
Book of tapestry woollen threads grouped in blocks of colours on printed card.

The book unfolds to lie flat, presenting five double columns of woollen threads grouped in blocks of colour, all numbered, with an index giving their places on the card printed on the back. These groups are marked in ink with the names: silver grey, Windsor green, new green, lime green, chrome green dull Green, Andrew's green, marine, steel grey, china blue, dull mauve, crimson, flame, Indian red, smoke greys, Windsor brown, rust gold, orange, straws, grenadier, turquoise.

Two small cards are attached by elastic to show, on one, 10 samples of dark cream to mid-brown; on the other, 12 samples of wools plied in different combinations, in blues, blue-grey, blue-greens and blue-purples that are described as 'MIXTURES', with the explanation 'These original and very beautiful shades are most valuable for producing sea, sky and back ground effects in tapestry. They blend perfectly in the finished work'.
Dimensions
  • Length: 10in
  • Width: 5in
  • Depth: 1in
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'BEEHIVE/ TAPESTRY WOOL/ SHADE RANGE/ PATONS & BALDWINS LTD/ ALLOA & HALIFAX/ CARD NO. 878' (Printed on the front cover)
  • 'A. HAINES & SON / SPRING STREET / PADDINGTON, W.2' (Writted on the cover in ink)
  • 'Beehive Tapestry Wool is supplied from stock in cartons containing 12 skeins of any one colour. Each skein is approximately 15 yards. ALL BRITISH.' (Printed on the back of the last fold)
Credit line
Given by Mr V. L. Haines
Collection
Accession number
T.467-1980

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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