Letter & tartan samples, associated with William Wilson & Sons, Bannockburn, near Stirling

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This letter, addressed to William Wilson & Sons of Bannockburn near Stirling, is an order for supplying lengths of tartan as per the attached samples. The letter is from Romanes & Paterson in Edinburgh and is dated November 10th 1838.

The letter contains an order for Buchanan tartan per the silk sample. To the left of the sample on the right is the pencil inscription 'Buchanan'. The inscription 'Stewart' is pencilled below the thin sample at the bottom.

The ledger of samples collected by the Highland Society of London shows that interest in tartan was growing early in the 19th century. Begun in 1816, the collection established the convention that the clan tartan be endorsed by the chief of a name.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-890-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.TTC 3.1 - 39
• Date: 10 November 1838 (letter written)
  
• Material: Tartan
  Letter
  
• Dimensions: 416 mm H x 295 mm W
  
• What: Letter
  
• Subject: Costume - tartan - Wilson of Bannockburn (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Wilson of Bannockburn, Bannockburn (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Stirlingshire, Bannockburn
  
• Event:
• Description: 39 letters with accompanying pieces of clan tartans or drawings of setts, sent to Messrs Wilson of Bannockburn as orders
  
• References:
  • Calder, Jenni (ed). The Wealth of a Nation. Edinburgh & Glasgow: NMS & Drew, 1989, pp 173-4. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: