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 dated Glasgow, 28 August 1827.

Included in the order are '1/2 piece Rob Roy tartan (hard) exact to pattern' and '3 Rob Roy Soft 8/4 Shawls'.

Wilsons' tartan weaving firm, reputedly founded in 1724, created new patterns to order, giving them clan and family names. They monopolized the supply of tartan cloth to the army up until the mid-19th century and also met the increasing public demand.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-901-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: 1827
  
• 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: