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 Perth, 9 July 1794.

The pencil inscription at the top of the sheet reads, 'Old Sets'.

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: 000-190-000-900-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: 1794
  
• 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: