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The Delaines Book |

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We recently purchased several vintage fabric sample books from
the mid 19th century. The ledgers containing about 80 pages each are large,
13" X 20", and identified as from a bookbinder in Paris. They are
titled Laines 1849--Fleurs, Persans, Geometriques, Rayures, Laine & Coton,
1843-1844--Dessins and Fantaisies and Divers 1863. The designs are generally
large and the colorations are amazing!!
These books may have been compiled by one of the companies in Paris
which supplied swatches of European fabrics to others in the industry. Many
of the pages have not only year dates but also printers names. Most of these
printers were working in the Alsace/Mulhouse region of France. Some pages are
marked 'Inconnu' (unknown).
The samples within the three books are either 100% wool, 100% cotton
or cotton warp with a wool weft. These wool or wool/cotton fabrics were often
referred to as Delaines in England and America. A reproduction fabric line was
based on this book and printed by Windham Hill /Baum Fabrics.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the Delaines Books please email
Margo Krager
The page above is titled--Mousseline de Laine 1849
More pictures from one of the Laines books:
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