Sample card

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**Sample Card by American Print Works (ca. 1835)** This intriguing "Sample Card" hails from American Print Works, a pioneering textile firm founded in 1835 in Paterson, New Jersey—a hub of early American industry. Produced around the company's inaugural year, this artifact exemplifies the rapid rise of printed textiles in the United States during the 1830s. As part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, generously bequeathed by Elinor Merrell, it falls under the classification of printed, dyed, and painted textiles, though its exact medium awaits further research. Sample cards like this one were essential tools in the textile trade, showcasing patterns and colorways to merchants and designers before full-scale production. American Print Works specialized in calico printing, a technique involving wooden blocks or emerging copper rollers to transfer intricate motifs onto cotton fabrics. This piece reflects the era's blend of artistry and mechanization, as the U.S. textile industry surged amid the Industrial Revolution, reducing reliance on European imports and fueling economic growth. Though details are still emerging through ongoing research, this modest card offers a window into 19th-century American ingenuity. It highlights how everyday innovations in dyeing and printing democratized vibrant fabrics, adorning homes and clothing across the young nation. A testament to industrial creativity! (198 words)