Dresden Foil Textile Labels

Item — Box: Multi-collection box

Identifier: 001-04-04

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The labels in this collection are highly detailed examples, die-cut in various shapes, and predominantly represent textile manufacturers in the United States and Great Britain during the 19th century.

Dates

19th century

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Providence Public Library, Special Collections department.

Biographical / Historical

These elaborate die-cut embossed gold and silver foil labels are known as “Dresdens” for the city in Germany that became synonymous with their manufacture in the 18th and 19th centuries and, in fact, continues to produce them today. Though they were used by many different merchants, nearly all the examples in this collection were made for the British or American cloth and linen trade, and thus have spaces at the base for measurements and/or price. Often labels of this type were used to fasten the end of a bolt of fabric.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (1/4 manuscript box)

Language of Materials

English

Latin

Additional Description

Arrangement

Materials are described at the item level. The original order in which they were received from the bookseller has been preserved.

Custodial History

Material was acquired from a bookseller.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Joslin Hall in 2019.

Accruals

No accruals are expected.

Existence and Location of Copies

The final folder in this collection, folder number 6, contains enlarged color photocopies of materials for ease of viewing and research.

Related Materials

Renard Silk Co. of New York, Collection of silk manufacturers' labels from China and Japan, Providence Public Library Special Collections, 741.692 R394c SpecColP Quarto.

Textile Industry Labels & Ephemera, Collection of pictorial labels used for the advertisement and sale of printed textiles, bales of cloth, and individual fabric lengths, Providence Public Library Special Collections, 001-04-03.