Brainerd & Armstrong Waste Embroidery Silk

Brainerd & Armstrong Waste Embroidery Silk

Back a few years ago, I posted some information about the silk manufacturing company Brainerd and Armstrong showing some pages from their 1885 Art Needlework, Knitting, Crocheting and Embroidery book.  I mentioned their ads for Waste Embroidery Silk for 40 cents, that included a sheet of Designs for 100 styles of Crazy Stitches enclosed in each package.  See posting at:

http://quiltpapers.blogspot.com/2011/03/100-crazy-patchwork-stitches.html

 

Fast forward to 2017 and I finally found that elusive sheet and box of Waste Embroidery Silk – quite by accident.  I had found an empty box some time ago, but the contents were long gone.  This time, I found a box with contents.  The ad only mentioned the floss contents and showed an image – not much to go on, but at about $10, why not get it.  Boy was I surprised when it arrived and had two little packages of non-floss in it – could it be…?  Yes it was – the sheet of stitches (A) and a sample of silk sewing thread (B)!  To my surprise, the sheet had the same two pages I had posted (out of the four from the 1885 book).  Both the envelope and sheet had not been opened up for over 100 years!  Below is the text found on the items.  Enjoy!

 

WASTE EMBROIDERY SILK BOX

FRONT:  Asst. Colors. ONE OUNCE WASTE EMBROIDERY SILK. VARIOUS SHADES, ODD LENGTHS, PUT UP BY THE

BRAINERD & SRMSTRONG Co.  HOW IT IS SOLD – 40 Cents a box (one ounce) sent post-paid on receipt of price.  For club rates, see end of box.  Address THE BRAINERD & ARMSTRONG CO., 469 Broadway, New York.

SIDE:  THIS PACKAGE CONSISTS OF EMBROIDERY -- SILK and FLOSS.  NOTICE. -- What we cannot do. WE CANNOT ASSORT ANY PARTICULAR SHADES. WE CANNOT ASSORT ANY PARTICULAR SIZES. WE CANNOT SELL LESS THAN ONE OUNCE.

BACK:  M_____[place for address and stamp]

Postmaster will please inform us if this package should miscarry, or remain five days uncalled for, and we will forward the necces-sary stamps for its return, and your postage.  Brainerd & Armstrong Co., 469 Broadway, New York.

SIDE:  As it is not always convenient to send currency in a letter, we will accept Postal Note or Money Order.

END:  CLUB RATES. For Ten ounces at one time, With $4.00 remittance, we will send one ounce extra without charge.

END:  Show this to your friends they are sure to want a package.

[TAB at end of Club Rates side]:  Benton & Co., Pat. Folding Box Manufa’rs, New Haven, Conn.

 

A: CRAZY STITCH PATTERN SHEET

A copy of this circular containing 100 different patterns of crazy stitches, will be sent to every person ordering one package of THE BRAINERD & ARMSTRONG CO.’s Waste Embroidery Silk, which is all good silk for embroidery and crazy work, consisting of about ten good colors in each package of one once.  Same quantity of silk put up in skeins of uniform length and sold in regular way would cost at retail about one dollar.  Send 40 cent postal note for one package.  To show the kind of work that can be done with Waste Embroidery Silk, we will, on receipt of 50 cents by mail, send one dozen beautiful Applique figures or one pair of Slipper Patterns, beautifully embroidered with silk on broadcloth or velvet; and the same may be returned and money will be refunded, if not perfectly satisfactory.

The Brainerd & Armstrong Co., Silk Manufacturers, Salesrooms: 469 Broadway, New York.  621 Market Street, Philadelphia.  35 Kingston Street, Boston.  5 Hanover Street, Baltimore.

B: ENVELOPE OF BLACK SEWING SILK SAMPLE

THIS SAMPLE IS SENT WITHOUT CHARGE.  This envelope contains a sample of Waste Sewing Silk, which sells at 30 cents per once in Black or Assorted Colors.  When ordering be careful to state whether you want Black or Colors.

Do not cofound the above with Waste Embroidery Silk, which is quite a different article, and sells at 40 cents per once.  Address THE BRAINERD & ARMSTRONG CO., 469 Broadway, New York.