A manual of dyeing receipts for general use: with numerous samples of dyed cloth and silk

Abstract

Originally published 1855. A rare dyer’s manual giving 233 receipts for the dying of cotton, silk, wool and mixed fabrics. Fifty-five of the receipts are accompanied by a sample of cloth or silk showing the color achievable. The preface gives an interesting comment on photography: “Again, since photography has become so popular an art, the amateur is often annoyed with dark stains upon his shirt, caused by the silver solution. These are generally removed by washing in a solution of Cyanide of Potassium. But this substance is a deadly poison, and to give it into the hands of a servant to work with is reprehensible. For the removal of these stains I would recommend Receipt no. 55. It is effective, easily performed, cheap and without danger.” The dyes in these recipes are made from natural substances (not chemicals): lime-water, copperas, peachwood, logwood, fustic, sumach, annotta, safflower, etc. (Charles Wood 160/183)