Actually, Prussian blue was discovered in the 18th century and it is a bright, greenish-blue. It is not an aniline dye. The aniline dyes were developed in the 1850s and 60s. Fine wool broadcloth was almost certainly dyed with indigo. It is true that it would take several dippings to get a deep, even, shade, but I don't think this made it more expensive than other colors. I had always thought that Brummel, et. al., adopted sober colors as a complete reaction to what had gone before, but I could be wrong. I'm definitely going to check out Purdy's book, although the subtitle, "consumer cosmopolitanism in the era of Goethe," makes me wonder if it is more focused on Germany and a slightly later period. Ann Wass In a message dated 2/1/2011 2:32:34 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, maric...@gmail.com writes:
One thing just struck my mind. This might be in the time period of the discovery of Prussic Acid and it's use as a dye. The first of the aniline dyes it was noted for being a vivid rich blue that didn't fade. Sorry I don't have the time to Google now... have to scoot. But, it's a theory _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
