A sample length of William Skinner & Sons nylon parachute cloth from World War II. A smooth, close, semi-transparent plain weave nylon fabric.; Camouflage design in two tones of green (medium and dark) on a lighter green ground with irregular shaped blotch patterns simulating foliage and according to the original paperwork from the manufacturer, designed as protective coloring for army parachutes.
William Skinner emigrated from England to Massachusetts in 1843, finding work as silk dyer. He eventually opened his own silk manufacturing company, the Unquomonk Silk Co., making silk threads and yarns for weaving and sewing. In 1874, the mill was destroyed when the Mill River Dam gave way. Skinner moved his company a few miles away, to Holyoke, Massachusetts, and rebuilt the mill, expanding production to include woven fabrics (Skinner satins were nationally famous) and silk braids. He ran the company until his death in 1902, and the firm stayed in the family, and remained in operation in Holyoke, until 1961, when his heirs sold it to Indian head Mills, which immediately closed the Holyoke operation.
Embroidered sampler worked in 1830 by 11-year old Mary Harrison of Alexandria, Virginia. In upper half of sampler, flanking verses, flowering plant with birds flying overhead, and lady and gentleman under tree. Man wears short flared coat and carries cane; lady wears elaborate hat, long-sleeved dress, and pantalettes, and carries small bag with long ribbon straps and what appears to be furled parasol. In lower half, large flat-roofed building with tall windows and columns. On flat roof recessed second story also flat-roofed but with large semicircular window. Building stands on lawn (or hill) flanked by trees, urns of flowers, and spotted dog. Border of geometric strawberry vine on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, crosslet, queen, satin, double cross, four-sided, chain, stem. THREAD COUNT: warp 29, weft 31/in.
Inscriptions:
"What iS the blooming fair And tincture of the Skin to Peace of mind from care And harmony within Sickness and age will blaSt All outward charmeS away Virtue will Sooth at last in deathS tremendiouS day
See the Kind Shepherd JeSuS StandS with all engaging charmeS Hark how he calls his tender lambs And folds them in his arms
Mary Harrison Aged Eleven Years Alexandria July 1830"
Background:
Mary Harrison was born September 18, 1818, to John and Elizabeth Carlin Harrison of Alexandria, Virginia She married December 28, 1842, Isaac Kell (1814-1864). She died June 30, 1906.
Skein of dyed silk schappe yarn for weaving, in "Cardinal" red.. Mfrs' tag reads "Schappe. Used in manufacturing velvets." The term "Schappe" refers to a method of processing waste silk fibers (leftovers from other processes). Schappe was used in the pile yarn for manufacturing of velvets, as it was both less expensive and easily finished as a soft surface. One of 66 examples of silk yarns of various types, dyed in the skein.. Original sample # 60. From a group of 145 samples of silk fabrics and yarns of various types, weaves, uses, and origins donated in 1913 by the National Silk Dyeing Co., of Paterson, New Jersey (America's "Silk City"), which was one of the largest and most comprehensive silk dyeing and printing firms in the U.S.
A length of J.A. Migel, Inc. silk dress goods "Moon-Glo" Meteor. Lightweight, crepe weave fabric with lustrous satin face and soft finish. Julius A. Migel was a younger brother of Moses Charles Migel, founder of M.C. Migel & Co., Inc, silk manufacturer, renamed H.R. Mallinson & Co., Inc. in 1915. Mallinson, married to Linda Migel, had taken over as the president of M.C. Migel & Co. after his brother-in-law had retired. J.A. Migel was very briefly a partner with H.R. Mallinson, but left the firm in 1915 to form his own, eponymous, silk manufacturing concern. J.A. Migel used many of the marketing tools that his brother and H.R. Mallinson had succeeded with, but his company lasted only a few years.
Border fragment made in reticella and punto in aria style needle lace with geometric designs, with straight upper edge and scalloped lower edge. The knotted buttonhole stitches indicate possible Greek origin. It is made with coarse ecru linen thread and has been repaired.
Sample of Japan Frisons Silk, Cheney Brothers, 1913 Frisons. Japan. White. Part of gift illustrating all the steps in making silk textiles at the Cheney Brothers mill in South Manchester, CT. Sales offices: 4th Ave. and 18th St., New York City
Cheney Brothers silk furnishing fabric, Louis XVI style, 1913. Heavy jacquard-woven compound satin weave for use in upholstery. Pattern is a reproduction of a Rococo into Neo-Classical French fabric from a Marie Antoinette chair. Design features gold and tan musical instruments and wreaths in decorative C-scroll frames and foliate meanders on a pale blue satin ground. (W. 50 in., L. 36 in.) Possibly based on, but not a complete reproduction of, the silk designed by Phillippe de LaSalle for the bedroom of Marie Antoinette at Fontainebleu. Mfrs. #s: Com. 4294; No. 56538; Color 2926/1