[Trade Catalogue] Concertina of Fabric Decorative Trim

France, 1890. Leatherette for end panels. Very Good. A truly beautiful and unusual sample book from the late 19th Century. 15 panels with samples, 73 samples, and possibly two more which are string and we are unsure whether they are the full sample or there was loss. Gold dominates the fabric color, and quite possibly real gold leaf was used as an ingredient. After gold, there is a good amount of silver, with occasional red thread as well. Jacquard design -- generally here with an embossed effect -- was employed frequently, and in almost everything but the strings that dangle in a number of the samples. Patterns applied to the jacquard fabric are quite varied -- lines, jagged lines, diagonal lines, clovers, swirls, rinceau waves, etc. The catalogue was probably drawn upon most by drapers and upholsterers, but these items were surely of interest to couturiers and costume designers, since women's gowns of the era often had an upholstered look. No company name is given -- all we have to go by is a griffin stamped on the outer leatherette panels. Since a few words are in French, we know this was from a French company, plus everything about the samples and their arrangement suggests French origin. Closed, 21 by 11 cm. Full open it expands to about 185 cm wide. All samples and content on one side. The folds are pliable and no harm will result of folded the "wrong" way. Alongside samples are inked numbers representing fibre count, it so seems. Moderate wear and soiling.