Donald Brothers Ltd. 1896 - 1980

Reference and contact details: GB 0582 HWUA DB
Title: Donald Brothers Ltd.
Dates of creation: 1896 - 1980
Extent: around 43 volumes plus loose fabric samples. Pattern Books contain fabric samples, loose fabric samples
Level of Description: fonds
Language of Material: English
Published by: Heriot-Watt University Archive, Records Management and Museum Service December 1999

Administrative/Biographical History

Donald Brothers emerged out of the coarse jute and linen industry of Dundee, manufacturing rugged textured Art canvasses and linens for use as wallcoverings and furnishings by 1896. Their Art fabrics were extensively used within art galleries and the Arts & Crafts interior in Britain and America between 1896-1914.

Building on their early success with craft manufacture between the 1930s and 1960s the firm made a significant contribution to the design of furnishing textiles, gaining international recognition for their fabrics marketed under the trade name Old Glamis Fabrics. Best known for their high quality woven linen furnishings, their range included textured weaves, jacquard woven tapestries and prints. In 1983 the company was taken over by William Halley & Son, and has since re-emerged as active makers of quality furnishings.

System of Arrangement

Records are arranged chronologically by type following classification scheme

Access Conditions

By appointment. Closure periods may apply to unpublished records less than 30 years old and other records containing personal information. Access to records in a fragile condition may be restricted.

Copyright/Reproduction

Private study and research, subject to the condition of the documents. Applications for permission to quote from or publish images from the collection should be sent to the University Archivist.

Accruals

Not expected

Custodial History

In the 1970s the company was bought over, and the records in the Archive were collected by staff at the Scottish College of Textiles, in response to a call to save the records. Two trips were made, salvaging records which had been designated for destruction. The records were first listed as part of the Archive by the Business Archives Council (Scotland) Surveying Officer in 1988 while in the High Mill. Following the merger of the Scottish College of Textiles with Heriot-Watt University in October 1998, responsibility for the collection was transferred to Heriot-Watt University Archive, Records Management and Museum Service. In September 2000, the Archive moved to the Main Building at the Scottish Borders Campus, Galashiels. The most recent deposit was from the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester.

Reference: GB 0582 DB6

Records of Pattern Design

Dates of creation: 1896 - 1973
Extent: 74 volumes

Scope and Content

Pattern Books: Designers, Canvasses, Linens and Tissues and Unnumbered; Sample pieces of printed and woven fabric and colour blankets

Reference: GB 0582 DB7

Sales Records

Dates of creation: c.1980 - 1984 and n.d.
Extent: volumes

Scope and Content

Counter Books no date; Sales Cards c. 1980 - 1984; Bunches no date.

Further Information

Finding Aids

Printed list plus item level computerised list available in the Searchroom.

Existence / Location of Originals

The Collection is original.

Related Units of Description

Lockharts draft peg plans for jacquards are held at held at the Scottish Borders Campus.

A collection of Donald Brother fabrics created by Lockharts [jacquards] is held at Glasgow School of Art. Please contact the Archivist, Glasgow School of Art.

Victoria &Albert Museum, Department of Textiles and Dress; Reference : T357-1970 (1930s Sample Book)

NRA 13038 Halley & Sons

Publication Note

  • Helen Douglas, The emergence of Donald Brothers as manufacturers of decorative fabrics: the feel for rugged texture, Ph.D. Thesis, Edinburgh University 1997.
  • Christine Boydell, The Architect of Floors; Modernism, Art and Marion Dorn Designs, Schoeser 1996.
    Available in the Archive.
  • Bold Impressions; Block Printing 1910 - 1950, Exhibition catalogue published by Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.
    Available in the Archive.