Tool (for textiles) (Textile printing block)

Description

This wooden printing block was likely used at the Rhode Island textile manufacturer Griswold Mill for printing on textiles. The block is comprised of a rectangular wooden base with a curved top edge, with the words “Griswold Mill Stout Sheeting” carved in relief. This block was probably used for stamping on bolt ends or fabric samples, to identify the product and manufacturer, rather than as part of a printed pattern for consumers to use in their sewing projects. This object is one of a large group transferred to Winterthur from the American Textile History Museum when it closed in 2017.