Fil Au Conscrit
Quite recently, I obtained some lovely pieces of vintage and antique haberdashery notions from a contact of mine who specialises in importing French pieces. Amongst the items that caught my eye were this wonderful Victorian era floral embroidered trim in cream and copper coloured silk, and this Edwardian spool of Fil Au Conscrit black linen thread (fil de lin) which has a particularly lovely graphic and typography in copper upon the label.
Fil Au Conscrit which translates as "thread for the conscript' was a very popular haberdashery brand in France. Up till 1905, conscripts were randomly selected for national service.
The downcast Frenchman on the label pulled out the number thirteen which you can see on a card affixed to his hat, and so must go to war. On postcards featuring this image you can even see tears on his cheeks as he reluctantly goes to fight for his country.
The beehive thimble is sterling silver and was made by silversmith James Fenton and Company in Birmingham in 1905. James Fenton and Company was in operation between 1854 and 1956. They were well known for their manufacture of silver and gold thimbles, and later for their silver and enamel jewellery.
Fil Au Conscrit
Quite recently, I obtained some lovely pieces of vintage and antique haberdashery notions from a contact of mine who specialises in importing French pieces. Amongst the items that caught my eye were this wonderful Victorian era floral embroidered trim in cream and copper coloured silk, and this Edwardian spool of Fil Au Conscrit black linen thread (fil de lin) which has a particularly lovely graphic and typography in copper upon the label.
Fil Au Conscrit which translates as "thread for the conscript' was a very popular haberdashery brand in France. Up till 1905, conscripts were randomly selected for national service.
The downcast Frenchman on the label pulled out the number thirteen which you can see on a card affixed to his hat, and so must go to war. On postcards featuring this image you can even see tears on his cheeks as he reluctantly goes to fight for his country.
The beehive thimble is sterling silver and was made by silversmith James Fenton and Company in Birmingham in 1905. James Fenton and Company was in operation between 1854 and 1956. They were well known for their manufacture of silver and gold thimbles, and later for their silver and enamel jewellery.