These swatch books were used at Richardson's Department store in Armidale New South Wales to order fabrics from Australian and British suppliers. That store was the first commercial establishment in Armidale when it opened in 1844 by Major Innes. It changed hands twice more before being purchased by John Richardson, a member of the Legislative Council, in 1872. It was known from that time as J. Richardson and Co. Ltd, General Merchants and Providers. Richardson developed the business into a modern department store. These swatches, with their stock codes and ordering numbers, were part of the complex commercial network established by the 1920s that allowed regional stores like Richardson's to order merchandise from metropolitan centres and overseas. They provide evidence of the clothing fabrics available to consumers in regional New South Wales in the 1920s and 1930s.

After they became obsolete as current fabric samples, these books proivded material for the patchwork quilt, or wagga rug, made by Clare Terrill and/or Vere Chamberlain in the 1930s. The Australian practice of 'recycling' material or 'making do' was particularly prevalent through the 19th first half of the 20th century. The Australian quilt or wagga rug is itself exemplary of this practice.

Clare Chamberlain worked at Richardson's in the 1920s - at least until her marriage to fellow store employee, James Terrill, in 1927. Her nephew Ray Jopson also worked at the store. Clare probably obtained the books directly or through her husband or nephew when they were no longer needed for shop purposes. The fabric samples from several of the books were used in the wagga rug she sewed, possibly with the help of her sister Vere.

Like many people of their generation, Clare and Vere disliked discarding things. Objects relating to needlework seem to have had a particular significance for the Chamberlain women, for reasons of utility or sentiment. Other items in this collection such as the cotton reel bought by their mother shortly before leaving England in 1888 were apparently kept because of its familial association. The Empire buttons and and women's magazines with needlework patterns, were kept by the sisters for future possible use.

These are the earliest and latest dates that appear on the books.

These swatches were used at Richardson's department store to order fabrics for men's suits. They were subsequently used by Clare Terrill and/or Vere Chamberlain to obtain patches for their quilt.
These objects were acquired from Richardson's Department Store by Clare Terrill nee Chamberlain in the 1920s and/or 1930s. Clare worked at the store in the 1920s and there met her future husband, James Terrill who was the store's accountant. They married in 1927. Clare's nephew, Ray Jopson, also worked for the store.

Lee and Dora Chamberlain migrated to New South Wales with their 10 month old baby Ada in 1888. They settled in the Armidale area shortly after arriving and had five more children - two boys and three girls. Only the girls survived: Vere b.1897; Clare b.1900; May b.1902. The first daughter Ada married and gave birth to a boy, Ray Jopson, in 1908. She died shortly afterward and Lee and Dora brought up their grandson as the son they had never had.

In 1912 the Chamberlains bought a block of land at 63 Barney Street, Armidale and Lee built a house which they called 'Richmond' after the Surry town where Dora and Lee had married in 1886.

Clare left home after marrying Jim Terrill in 1927 and lived nearby. Vere lived with her parents at 'Richmond' and remained unmarried in the family home after her father died in 1940 and her mother in 1959. Her sister Clare visited her regularly there until her death at the age of 91 in 1989. Clare died in 1991. They left no family and the contents of Clare's house were disposed of by a family friend who passed on several items, including everything in this collection, to the donor who also befriended the sisters in their later years. He subsequently offered items to the Powerhouse Museum.

Swatch books (16), textile / card / paper / cord / metal, made by B D Suitings / H L Hurndall and Sons / D&H / Richard Haworth and Co Ltd / Wenley, England / Australia, 1922-1935.

These are hard bound swatch books from various companies. Some have had fabric samples removed for inclusion in the patchwork rug also included in this collection.

Purple cloth hard covered swatch book inscribed in gold 'WINTER 1932 / D&H SYDNEY'. The cover has a gold border. Inside the front cover is the 'New Telegraphic Code' for communicating different lengths via telegraph. There is also the inscription 'C.A. Jones Pattern Card Specialist Sydney'. The book contains samples of English and Scotch wool tweed. Some of these have been cut out. Inside the back cover is a list of the prices of each fabric with a note on sales tax. There is elastic tape to keep the book closed.

Red cloth hard covered swatch book inscribed in gold 'B.D. SPECIAL / FASHIONABLE SUITINGS / BOOK 4 / 1934'. The cover has a gold border. Each fabric sample has a code tag on the back. The book is bound with cord to allow hanging. There is elastic tape to keep the book closed.

Blue cloth hard covered swatch inscribed in gold 'B.D. SUPER / HIGHEST QUALITY / SUITINGS / BOOK 5 / 1934-35'. The cover has a gold border. There are crossed out pencilled notes on the inside of the front cover. Each fabric sample has a code tag on the back. Some have been cut out. The book is bound with cord to allow hanging. There is elastic tape to keep the book closed.

Brown cloth hard covered swatch book inscribed in gold 'B.D. / STANDARD SELECTED SUITINGS / BOOK 5 / 1934-35'. The cover has a gold border. There are calculations and phone numbers noted on the inside the front. Each fabric sample has a code tag on the back. Some have been cut out. The book is bound with cord to allow hanging. There is elastic tape to keep the book closed.

Brown cloth hard covered swatch books (2) inscribed in gold 'B.D. / STANDARD SELECTED SUITINGS / BOOK 5 / 1934-35'. The cover has a gold border. There are red stains on the cover. There are crossed out pencilled notes written on the inside of the cover. Each fabric sample has a code tag on the back. Several have been cut out. The book is bound with cord to allow hanging. The binding is coming apart. There is elastic tape to keep the book closed.

Brown cloth hard covered swatch book inscribed in gold 'B.D. / STANDARD SELECTED SUITINGS / BOOK 6 / 1935'. The cover has a gold border. There are pencilled numbers on the inside of the front cover. Each fabric sample has a code tag on the back. All the samples appear to be present. The book is bound with cord to allow hanging. There is elastic tape to keep the book closed.

Red cloth hard covered swatch book inscribed in gold 'B.D. SPECIAL / FASHIONABLE SUITINGS / BOOK 6 / 1935'. The cover has a gold border. There are pencilled numbers on the inside of the front cover. Each fabric sample has a code tag on the back. Some have been cut out. The book is bound with cord to allow hanging. There is elastic tape to keep the book closed.

Blue cloth hard covered swatch book inscribed 'WENLEY' in a white diamond. The cover has a gold border. The fabric samples are for suits and has a code tag on the back. The book is bound with three metal pins to allow hanging. There is elastic tape to keep the book closed.

White card covered swatch book inscribed in gold 'Dyed Moles / and / Riding Cords'. Each sample has a code tag and price. The book is bound with two metal pins. Inside is stamped 'March 1922 / H.L. Hurndall and Sons / Milton House / 8-9 Chiswell St E.C'. There are also the house number '1047x' and codes for ordering. There are also notes on dying.

Green card covered swatch book inscribed 'Bleached / Bedford Cords / 40/45 yds' in white and gold patterned centre piece. Each fabric sample has a code tag on the back with price and bolt size. The book is bound two metal pins. Inside is stamped the house number '1782x' and 'H.L. Hurndall and Sons / Milton House / 8-9 Chiswell St E.C'.

Brown card covered swatch book of flannel samples. Each fabric sample has a code tag with price and bolt size. The book is bound two metal pins. Inside is stamped the house number 'R42' and ordering code. 'H.L. Hurndall and Sons / Milton House / 8-9 Chiswell St E.C' is stamped on the inside page.

Light brown paper covered swatch book inscribed 'SUPERIOR MANUFACTURE / WINCEYETTE / The ideal fabric for / Ladies and Children's Wear' inside a patterned centre piece. The book is bound with two metal pins. The fabric is a calico type of cotton. Samples have tags with code, price and bolt size Each fabric sample has a code tag on the back with price and bolt size. The book is bound two metal pins. Inside is stamped the house number 'W23' and 'H.L. Hurndall and Sons / Milton House / 8-9 Chiswell St E.C' with codes for ordering. A photo of a woman is stuck to one of the samples.

White card covered swatch book inscribed 'All Cotton / British Manufacture / Superior Qualities / TWILL / DYED FLANNELETTES / Stock / Length 50 yards'. The samples of flannelette have coded tags. The book is bound with two metal pins. A foldout inside has prices and the name 'Richard Haworth and Company / Limited / 35 Dale Street / Manchester'.

Black card covered swatch book containing samples of white netting or synthetic tulle on pink cards. The samples of have coded tags. The book is bound with two metal pins. On the inside cover is stamped 'H.L. Hurndall and Sons / Milton House / 8-9 Chiswell St E.C' with the house number '1506x'.

White card covered swatch book of cotton drill samples with 'H.L. Hurndall and Sons / Milton House / 8-9 Chiswell St E.C' stamped on cover. There is also a house number '1639x', ordering code number '10647' and date 'March 1922'. On the inside page is the inscription 'Elephant Brand / Strength and Durability' with the trade mark of an elephant and three globes. The samples have coded tags. The book is bound with two metal pins.

White card covered swatch book inscribed 'Bleached Cantons /and / Bleached Cantoons'. Inside is stamped 'H.L. Hurndall and Sons / Milton House / 8-9 Chiswell St E.C'. There is also a house number '1047x', ordering code number '10478' and date 'March 1922'. The samples have coded tags. The book is bound with two metal pins.

Made: 1922 - 1935


Used: Terrill (nee Chamberlain), Clare; Armidale, New South Wales; 1930 - 1940

Used: Richardson's Department Store; Armidale, New South Wales; 1930 - 1940

2000/89/1

1922 - 1935