Historical information

This book containing tartan fabric samples belonged to the Warrnambool firm of Cramond and Dickson. It is presumed to have been brought from Scotland to Warrnambool by either John Glass Cramond or James Dickson Snr. for use in their Department Store where customers could choose which tartan they preferred. It is obvious that it has been well used as pieces have been cut from some samples. Tartan clothing has been a favourite over many years used for fashion garments and children's clothing in addition to its use in traditional Highland dress. The firm of Cramond and Dickson was established as a general store in 1855 and closed in 1974.

Significance

This book is of considerable significance as it is our earliest memento ( 1850) of the prominent Warrnambool firm of Cramond and Dickson, a business that operated for 119 years.

Physical description

This is a hard cover book with a dark coloured leather cover with gold printing and a much damaged spine. Inside the cover is a mottled pattern. The pages contain some hand written information and swatches of tartan fabric pasted on separate pages. Some of the tartan samples have had pieces cut off. The pages have the name of the tartan and other annotations. There is one loose page.