Object number
78/32/1
Description
This sample of straw plait was made in China and supplied to A. E. Olney Ltd. of Luton for the production of straw hats.
This plait is an example of 'China fancy' plait. A. E. Olney Ltd. was established in 1910, and by 1978 it was the only factory in England still making straw hats.
Physical description
1 straw plait; straw
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – ‘Description: 78/32/1 – ‘China fancy’, bleached, width 2cms // 78/32/2 – ‘Sheila Plait’, width 2.4cms // 78/32/3 – ‘Laichow’, width 0.6cms // 78/32/4 – synthetic plait made from polypropylene, width 2.4cms // Dimensions: … // Associated information: These samples were all made in the People’s Republic of China and is imported to the factory of A E Olney Ltd., Old Bedford Rd., Luton for the production of straw hats; this factory is the only one in England still making straw hats. // References: See Creasy J, ‘Straw working Seminar at Luton 15.6.78’ which includes a description of Olney’s factory. // Doney J G ‘A history of the straw plait industry’ Luton 1942.’
Production place
People's Republic of China
Production date
1970 - 1978
Production period
1970s
Object name
Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_14089.tif - High resolution image
