“THE BEST EQUIPPED MILL IN AMERICA”: ORIGINAL 1920S SAMPLE-BOOK OF TRIMS FOR DRAPERIES AND UPHOLSTERY

E.L. MANSURE COMPANY. Drapery and Upholstery Trimmings [Sample-Book]. Chicago: Mansure, circa 1925. Thick folio (13 by 14 by 11 inches), original post-bound gold textured cloth. $750.

Vintage sample-book of the leading manufacturer of drapery and upholstery trims, with 30 cardstock leaves containing literally hundreds of colorful mounted specimens, “everything conceivable that the trade could wish for.”

With factories and outlets in locations around the country, E.L. Mansure Company was the leading manufacturer of cotton webbing and cotton knitted fringe. “A feature of Chicago’s ‘Great Central Market’ is the immense manufacturing plant of the E.L. Mansure Company, now occupying the spacious eight-story building at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Lake Street, where they have all the best and latest facilities in their numerous departments to manufacture everything conceivable in the line of upholstery and drapery trimming that the trade could wish for. The unlimited number of power looms and machines for spinning, knotting, twisting cutting and embroidering makes it the best equipped mill in America” (Chicago Daily News Almanac). Forty-four samples (of hundreds) have been removed.

Remaining samples in fine condition, light rubbing to extremities of original post binding.