Adolf Jenny-Trümpy's fabric pattern books
The fabric sample collection of Adolf Jenny Trümpy is presented in 17 volumes, each with pages of textile fabric samples showcasing different patterns and dyes. These samples date from the 18th to the 20th centuries and have recently been made available virtually via online-catalogue.
Glarus fabric patterns and others, including mineral dyes from 1830 to 1900 Soaped or soapfast dyes fixed by steam 1870-1900 "Färbalizarin" (without illuminating colors) imitations of back Indian Plangi or Bandhana_new fabrication a.o. of Indienne, Meubles Application dyes and dyes fixed by steam "Färbalizerin" with illuminating colors Blue wood dyeing articles, imprinting process, 19th century. Madder articles, imprinting process (late 18th - early 20th c.) Indigo printed article_end 18th to beginning 20th c.
Check out Jenny-Trümpy's fabric pattern books virtually
As part of a digitization project, the 17 books were completely digitized between 2023 and 2024, transcription of the handwriting included (German language), and transferred to an online catalog created specifically for this purpose. Click here to get to the online catalog. Enjoy the colorful journey into chemistry!
Why Adolf Jenny-Trümpy created the print sample books is not entirely clear. Possibly it was a "rescue operation". Adolf Jenny Trümpy (1855–1941) originated from Ennenda/Glarus. At the end of the 19th century, he and his brother were responsible for the technical and coloristic part of the cotton printing house of the family business, Bartholome Jenny & Co. In 1907, the printing department of the company had to close, as did many at that time. With the closure, many products would have been lost. Around that time, Jenny Trümpy began his collection, which was possibly intended to preserve the products for posterity. It is no secret that Jenny Trümpy was also personally interested in the history of fabric printing. He conducted research for many years and published a work on economic history at the turn of the century, albeit without illustrations. The stock sample collection – first individual cards, then bound books – was perhaps also intended to serve as an illustration of his work. This is suggested by references in some volumes.
Adolf Jenny-Trümpy compiled print samples from the canton of Glarus as well as from his own company, pasted them on cardboard and had them bound. On each individual card (22x31cm), a fabric sample is present along with the handwritten color and printing recipes as well as the origin and the year of manufacture. Samples from the company's own production have in addition a company stamp at the bottom. Later, longer text pages were added, partially in different handwriting, which indicates helpers. Between 1907 and 1931, he created 15 volumes with fabrics from his own company. Another seven volumes describing the fabrics and processes of other companies were added by 1934. Jenny-Trümpy thus created a 22-volume pictorial history of dye development in the 19th to 20th centuries.
He produced these 22 volumes in nine copies – the idea was to make the books accessible in different places. 17 volumes from one of these series were obtained by ETH Zurich. They are now in the possession of the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences.
