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Object Timeline

1927

  • Work on this object began.

1936

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2018

2025

  • You found it!

Sample Book, Carte de Nuances de la Chambre Syndicale des Teinturiers (Shade Card of the Dyer’s Trade Union)

This is a Sample book. It was produced by Chambre Syndicale des Teinturiers. It is dated 1927 and we acquired it in 1936. Its medium is paper, cardboard, silk. It is a part of the Textiles department.

This sample card shows the silk dyes available for Autumn 1927. Each color is numbered, but also named, with references to everything from sailor’s slang to French colonies to chocolate-filled cakes. Evocative color names remain an important sales tool today.

It is credited Gift of Herman A. Elsberg.

  • Sample Book
  • paper, leather, cotton, silk, and wool.
  • Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
  • 1931-88-151-c
  •

Our curators have highlighted 3 objects that are related to this one.

Its dimensions are

H x W (closed): 37.1 × 29.5 cm (14 5/8 × 11 5/8 in.) H x W (2-page spread): 37.1 × 61 cm (14 5/8 in. × 24 in.) H x W (4-page spread): 37.1 × 111.8 cm (14 5/8 in. × 44 in.)

Cite this object as

Sample Book, Carte de Nuances de la Chambre Syndicale des Teinturiers (Shade Card of the Dyer’s Trade Union); Produced by Chambre Syndicale des Teinturiers; France; paper, cardboard, silk; H x W (closed): 37.1 × 29.5 cm (14 5/8 × 11 5/8 in.) H x W (2-page spread): 37.1 × 61 cm (14 5/8 in. × 24 in.) H x W (4-page spread): 37.1 × 111.8 cm (14 5/8 in. × 44 in.); Gift of Herman A. Elsberg; 1936-31-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Saturated: The Allure and Science of Color.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18340903/ |title=Sample Book, Carte de Nuances de la Chambre Syndicale des Teinturiers (Shade Card of the Dyer’s Trade Union) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=6 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>