Standard Color Card of America

[Textile Color Card Association of the United States]

A very scarce first edition of the Standard Color Card of America. The card was produced in 1915 by The Textile Color Card Association of the United States with the purpose 'to standardize colors for the Textile and allied industries so that the standard name or standard number will always signify the color so designated in this card.' The card contains 106 ribbon swatches, each with a satin and a matte/grosgrain finish. Each colour is given a four digit number. The first number indicating the principal colour, the second is the principal blend, the third is the secondary blend, and the fourth number indicates the strength of colour. Before the First World War America had received many of their textiles and materials from Europe. The disruption in supply meant that the country now how to rely on their own internal manufacturing. The colour association was set up in order to create a national standardised system, with colours submitted and approved by an expert panel. The colour card was issued as a practical aid for businesses and creative industries (including textiles and fashion) , first appearing in 1915 and then in numerous editions up to the tenth edition in 1981 (with the updated title Standard Color Reference of America). The Textile Color Card Association continues to operate today as the Color Association of the United States. Its influence remains wide-ranging, providing the standard for the armed forces of America and the official colours for the Stars and Stripes. This American colour guide predates The British Colour Council Dictionary of Colour Standards which was first published in 1934 and which carries a similar intention and format. Copies of the first 1915 edition of the card are scarce with only a handful recorded in US institutions and none outside of the USA.



The Textile Color Card Association of the United States. New York. 1915. First edition, first issue. Hardback; navy cloth-bound boards with white titles to front, containing a concertina-folding card presenting 106 colour ribbon swatches on 5 boards, with glassine guards present; page of text to verso of front board and index page to verso of folding card; form to order duplicate copies tipped-on to verso of folding card. English. 240 x 130mm. 0.25kg. . Very good; light shelf wear, light rubbing to corners of boards, small red date notation to inside of cover, occasional pin holes to corners and edges from when the card was likely used for display; the colour swatches remain fresh and bright.