Stead McAlpin & Co. Printing Blocks

Made:
1840-1941 in Carlisle

Two sets of wooden hand blocks with pattern made from raised metal inserts for printing multi-coloured designs on fabrics.

Set No. C7415 contaings 98 blocks, dating from 1840.

Set No. S5255 contains 4 block dating from 1941.

Details

Category:
Textile Industry
Object Number:
Y1981.35
Materials:
wood (unidentified), copper (alloy), metal (unknown) and textile
type:
printing blocks
credit:
Gift of The John Lewis Partnership

Parts

Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 50 mm x 220 mm x 95 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and textile
Object Number:
Y1981.35.19
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 66 mm x 328 mm x 242 mm,
Materials:
copper (metal) and wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.20
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 80 mm x 227 mm x 334 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and copper (metal)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.21
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 71 mm x 328 mm x 245 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and copper (metal)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.22
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 48 mm x 184 mm x 65 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown) and textile
Object Number:
Y1981.35.24
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 46 mm x 301 mm x 108 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and textile
Object Number:
Y1981.35.26
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 58 mm x 63 mm x 30 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and textile
Object Number:
Y1981.35.28
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 50 mm x 226 mm x 148 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and textile
Object Number:
Y1981.35.29
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand Block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 57 mm x 295 mm x 140 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and textile
Object Number:
Y1981.35.34
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand Block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415

Measurements:
overall: 57 mm x 317 mm x 114 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and textile
Object Number:
Y1981.35.35
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 62 mm x 280 mm x 202 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and textile
Object Number:
Y1981.35.42
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 70 mm x 431 mm x 237 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and copper (metal)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.47
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 75 mm x 350 mm x 250 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and copper (metal)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.48
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 67 mm x 315 mm x 235 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and copper (metal)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.49
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 75 mm x 347 mm x 245 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.51
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth, fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 53 mm x 115 mm x 83 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and textile
Object Number:
Y1981.35.54
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 57 mm x 80 mm x 44 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and textile
Object Number:
Y1981.35.58
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 51 mm x 168 mm x 128 mm,
Materials:
wood , textile and copper (metal)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.63
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric block number C5255.

Measurements:
overall: 55 mm x 333 mm x 425 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.69
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand Block for printing cloth. Fabric number C7415

Object Number:
Y1981.35.74
type:
hand printing block (pattern)
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric number C5255.

Measurements:
overall: 60 mm x 338 mm x 422 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.76
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth; fabric block number C5255.

Measurements:
overall: 58 mm x 344 mm x 427 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.77
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Printing block

Printing block

Hand Block for printing cloth. Fabric number C7415

Object Number:
Y1981.35.84
type:
hand printing block (pattern)
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Textile Printing Block

Textile Printing Block

Hand block for printing cloth, fabric number C7415.

Measurements:
overall: 70 mm x 338 mm x 120 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified) and textile
Object Number:
Y1981.35.85
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 50 mm x 75 mm x 100 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.86
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Hand printing block

Hand printing block

Hand printing block, pattern C7415, made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle, c. 1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 50 mm x 85 mm x 115 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.87
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Hand printing block

Hand printing block

Hand printing block, pattern C7415, made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle, c. 1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 50 mm x 125 mm x 180 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.88
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 55 mm x 130 mm x 165 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.89
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 55 mm x 95 mm x 155 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.90
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 55 mm x 120 mm x 180 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.91
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 55 mm x 140 mm x 265 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.92
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 70 mm x 225 mm x 332 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.93
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd

Hand printing block pattern C7415 made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 70 mm x 220 mm x 340 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.94
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Hand printing block

Hand printing block

Hand printing block, pattern C7415, made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 70 mm x 220 mm x 335 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.95
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
hand printing block

hand printing block

Hand printing block, pattern C7415, made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 75 mm x 235 mm x 350 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.96
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Hand printing block

Hand printing block

Hand printing block, pattern C7415, made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

More

Manufacturers produced textiles in a wide range of colours, prints, and designs. They kept up with fashion trends and found ways to mass-produce popular patterns. Colour preferences, motifs, and cultural symbols differed across countries and regions.

The designs were painstakingly devised, then skilled workers made hand-printing blocks like this one to translate the design onto the cloth. The blocks were used to develop repeat designs and colours on the fabric. They could be reused multiple times to produce different colourways.

Measurements:
75 mm x 210 mm x 320 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.97
type:
hand printing block (pattern)
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
printing block

printing block

Hand printing block, pattern C7415, made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

More

Manufacturers produced textiles in a wide range of colours, prints, and designs. They kept up with fashion trends and found ways to mass-produce popular patterns. Colour preferences, motifs, and cultural symbols differed across countries and regions.

The designs were painstakingly devised, then skilled workers made hand-printing blocks like this one to translate the design onto the cloth. The blocks were used to develop repeat designs and colours on the fabric. They could be reused multiple times to produce different colourways.

Measurements:
75 mm x 255 mm x 365 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.100
type:
hand printing block (pattern)
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
hand printing block

hand printing block

Hand printing block, pattern C7415, made by Stead McAlpin & Co. Ltd, Carlisle c.1840.

Measurements:
Overall: 75 mm x 70 mm x 375 mm,
Materials:
wood (unidentified)
Object Number:
Y1981.35.101
type:
printing block
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

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