Return to list

Sample book of designs for printed cotton

 
image 0
image 1
image 2
image 3
image 4
image 5
image 6
image 7
image 8
image 9
image 10
image 11
image 12
image 13
image 14
image 15
image 16
image 17
image 18
image 19
image 20
image 21
image 22
image 23
image 24
image 25
image 26
image 27
image 28
image 29
image 30
image 31
image 32
image 33
image 34
image 35
image 36
image 37
image 38
image 39
image 40
image 41
image 42
image 43
image 44
image 45
image 46
image 47
image 48
image 49
image 50
image 51
image 52
image 53
image 54
image 55
image 56
image 57
image 58
image 59
image 60
image 61
image 62
image 63
image 64
image 65
image 66
image 67
image 68
image 69
image 70
image 71
image 72
image 73
image 74
 
Zoom inZoom inZoom inZoom in
Zoom outZoom outZoom outZoom out
Go homeGo homeGo homeGo home
Toggle full pageToggle full pageToggle full pageToggle full page
Rotate leftRotate leftRotate leftRotate left
Rotate rightRotate rightRotate rightRotate right
Title
Sample book of designs for printed cotton
Creator
Archibald Hamilton Rowan (1751-1834)
Description
Consists of over 140 block impressions on paper, many brightened by watercolors, that provide examples of 18th century calico-printed textiles. Each sample is numbered. The designs bear a similiarity to contemporary English work. Covered in newspaper. Inscription on cover: Book of Wallpapers of the last 18th century lent by Colonel Elliot. Inscription on inside cover: This Book of Patterns belonged to Archibald Hamilton Roawn Esqr he had it in America it was given to me by his daughter Miss Rowan. Rowan was a calico-printer on the Brandywine River, near Wilmington, DE. A member of the Society of United Irishmen, he was in exile from Ireland during his stay in America. After peddling birch beer and garden produce through the streets of Wilmington, he purchased a calico-printing firm from the Jordan family in late 1796 or early 1797 and made an agreement with a dyer, William Aldred, who undertook the management of the shop and men and was in charge of the firm's accounts. Aldred proved to be an unsatisifactory businessman and the partnership was dissolved in October, 1798. Rowan continued the business until May 29, 1799. Being unable to compete with British merchants, he sold the his remaining inventory to James Lea and offered the manufactory for sale. Ultimately, he returned to Ireland. Although the inscription on the cover indicates that these are wallpaper designs, Rowan's career suggests otherwise, and it was common for fabric designs to be printed on paper first. The papers on which the patterns are printed bear the watermark of the Gilpin paper mills, also located along the Brandywine River.
Format
Subjects
Return to list