Bolt end of unbleached cotton twill weave, Selvage width. Marked with blue stamp of head and torso of an American indian man and words "40 yds" and "Indian head Drills." Made by Indian Head Mills. Cordova, Alabama.
Paper label: US Consulate, Chefoo, China. Dated Oct 24, 1898. "U. S. Consulate, Chefoo China (/) With Annual Report of Trade, Oct 24, 1898 (/) 15 pieces " 1 Bale (/) 1 piece yard.". Sent with Report to the US Board of Trade from the Consulate. Chinese characters on label as well.
Example of marketing of American made cotton textiles to Far East in the late 19th century. For many cotton textile mills opened in the southern United States in the late 19th century, the focus was on production for foreign markets, not domestic.
Part of a large collection of American and foreign made textile samples acquired between about 1898 and 1918 by US Consuls overseas to report on the state of markets and on business opportunites. Transferred from the Dept. of Commerce in the 1920s.
Consular Collection.