Tidbits on Worsted Fabrics

Below is an excerpt from an 1898 Textile World on Worsted Fabrics and the costs for the past year. Not only is this interesting in terms of costs but is also gives you a list of the various companies that were selling fabric.

The largest quantity of goods was sold in worsted fabrics, and this will account for the large number of this class.
The general run of colors was somewhat lighter than for a few seasons past. The finest line of worsteds shown was the line made by the Hockanuni Co., one grade being $3.00 less 10 per cent., another $2.871/2 less 10 per cent., and containing some small check patterns with twist, which show the general character of patterns for medlum priced heavy weight worsteds. The same is also true of the $2.75 less 10 per cent. line. In the $2.87% grade, there was a herring-bone stripe pattern, the stripe of different widths, which shows one of the best patterns of this character on the market, and as this is what the trade are demanding, it would be well to obtain samples of the same.
The silk mix fabric, black grounds with different colored silks, was $2.50 less 10 per cent. An unfinished worsted line, blacks $2.12%, blues $2.25. A fine serge, black $1.50, blue $1.62%, also unfinished and finished twills, at the same prices as serge line.
The \Hockanum wool goods are made with twist yarns, $150-$155, and these are the class of fabrics which will be sold during the coming heavy lea-son.
The “Yeovil” worsteds, made by Phillips, contained some very handsome. patterns both in stripes and suitings: they are a hacked fabric, and have the firmness required in a high priced !ight weight, the prices being $2.10 less 5 per cent. and $1.95 less 5 per cent.
The “Oswego” worsteds, made by Chas. Fletcher and sold by 'F. Vietor &. Achelis, through R. Bahcock’s department, were $1.75 and $1.50, both lines being through and through fabrics. This same house had a line of backed worsteds at $1.75, and a cheaper grade, a'll cotton filling, at
$1.30. The “Manchester” eassimeres also sold through them brought $1.25.
Strong, Hewat & Co. ‘had a line of wool cassimeres at $1.25. some of the sultings containing twist.
The "Globe" worsteds were $2.62%, $2.50. $2.37%, $2.25. The fine covert cloths, made by the “Broad Brook" and sold by Ogden & Brook, were $2.00 for both the whip-cord and covert weave, and also a herringbone whip
cord. The worsted lines of this same concern were $1.80 and $1.60, and,contalned some good patterns for stripes. The “Perseverance” worstcds were $1.57l,§, in a line of 'black and'wh‘ltes. The “Centrals,” made by Farwell, were $15714, for the fabric which was woven through and through, and had the suiting patterns, and $1.65 for the backed fabric having the trouserings.
The "Gloria" worsteds are all worsted through and through fabric, sold at $1.30. The patterns were principally nea't checks. The “Fultons,” a line similar to the preceding, was also $1.30, the pattern effects being larger. The “Viking” cassimeres having a Saxony finish were $1.30. Hardvt Von Bernuth & Co. got out an imitation covert at $1.00, which, for a fabric of this class, is the firmest on the market. They also had worsted lines at $2.85 less 5 per cent., $2.70 less 5 per cent., $2.10, $15215 and $1.50.
XV. E. Ti'llotson’s ' “Silver Lake" worsteds, which have the reputation of having the best line of stripes in the market, were $2.25 less 5 per cent. and $2.15 less 5 per cent. The Oregon City Manufacturing Co., which obtains the worsted end of the business from Chas. Fletcher, had lines at $1.20 and $1.671,§. The wool goods were $1.25, $1.50, $15254; and $1.75, many of the styles above $1.50 containing twist. Brigham, Laurie, Mason & Co. had worsted lines at $1.87% and $2.50. Stevens, Sanford &. Handy's worsteds were $1.20, $15715 and $1.65.
“Sawyer’s” worsteds were $1.871/fi, $2.00 and $2.25; the last named grade having some check patterns made with all twist which are very desirable patterns. Oelbermann, Dormmerich & Co. also had a line of worsteds at $1.80 less 5 per cent., some of the patterns being large plaids, but subdued in pattern on account of the combination of color used. Cooley, Turnbull & 00. had a line of worsteds, containing cotton both in warp and filling, which sold at $1.00 less 5 per cent. Dudley, Battelle & Hurd sold a sightly line of worsted stripes at $1.125é, this fabric being backed with a twist. They also had a line at 31.37%.
Converse, Stanton & Co's worstcds were $1.75 less 5 per cent, and $1.85$1.95. A line of whip-cords sold by the same flrm were $2.25 less 5 per cent.
Forstmann & Co., Emerson‘s Department, had a line of worsteds at $1.60. ‘Rockfeilow & Shephard’s worsteds were $1.30 and 8.67%, and in pattern were good copies of the Hockanum patterns of previous season. John & James Dobson had worsted lines at $162341. and silk mix worsted at $1.85, and a fine venetian at $2.00. Ouid & Rigelow had a worsted line at 81.17%. Sullivan, Vail & Co. sold wool goods at 771/5, 85 and 87% cents. and a fine twill in mills at $1.20, and cassimere line at $13715). Curtiss & “"arren, the western manufacturers, had a line of wool goods at 85 cents, W. Stursberg, Schell & Co. had a worsted line at $2.121,é less 5 per cent., and a fine worsted covert at $1.75. Henry “I '1‘. Mali & Co. had line of wool stripes at $1.25, and Duval, Cone & Glover a line of worsteds with plenty of cotton at 95 less 5 per cent. The “Langham” worsteds were $1.25. Kunhardt &. Allen had their usual line of wool goods, the prices being 81.37%. “42%, $1.50 and $152115. The line at the highest price contains some of the finest styles, both as regards pattern and color. They also had the usual knickerbocker twists at $1.00.