A Colonial Merchant: The Ledger of William Ramsay

Alexandria, VA 1753-1756

Artifact: Bombazine Gown (detail)

Bombazine

Materials: red silk warp, brown wool weft

Dimensions: Length: 147.0 cm

Date: 1770-1780

Origin: England

Collection: Victoria & Albert Museum

License: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Ledger Entry: Bombazine

Bombazine

Department: Textile

Customer: Hugh West Jr.

Ledger Page: 83

Imported From: Bombazine was primarily produced in Spitalfields and Norwich.

Product Description

Bombazine is a combined fabric made of two types of thread: a silk warp and worsted weft. It was used for window dressings and clothing. It's lighter weight made it suitable for summer attire.

Citation: Florence M. Montgomery. Textiles in America, 1650-1870 : a Dictionary Based on Original Documents : Prints and Paintings, Commercial Records, American Merchants' Papers, Shopkeepers' Advertisements, and Pattern Books with Original Swatches of Cloth. (New York :Norton, 1984);

Historical Price: 3 shillings per yard; Modern USD: $33.6

Product Variations

The databases record only two purchases of bombazine. While there is no indication of quality, one cusomer paid only three shillings a yard for bombazine, another paid three shillings four pence per yard.