Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
The Frères Koechlin Trade Catalog collection consists of one trade catalog (23.7 x 15cm, 32 pp., 8 color plates) with historic illustrations of women's dresses from 1810-1914. Along with eight fashion prints, the catalog contains the locations of their factory and stores; contact information for sales representatives in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East; and cost and measurement conversions.
Frères Koechlin began in 1746 with a printed textile factory in Mulhouse.
Frères Koechlin began in 1746 when Samuel Koechlin, J. J. Schmaltzer and J. H. Dollfus established the first printed textile factory in Mulhouse. The partners separated and Samuel Koechlin retained the original factory. By 1831, the company's name was Frères Koechlin, or "Koechlin Brothers."
The company eventually moved the factory from the heart of the city to the outskirts due to multiple factors. Block printing manufacturing rapidly improved and required larger buildings for the machinery. Additionally, textiles began being manufactured and bleached in Mulhouse, instead of imported from Switzerland, which required large areas of land. The new factory was completed in 1812 with multiple additions built throughout the 19th century.
The Germans seized the factory during World War I, but work at the factory restarted in 1919 with partial recovery of the machines, motors, and rollers requisitioned by the Germans.
The Frères Koechlin Trade Catalog collection consists of one trade catalog (23.7 x 15cm, 32 pp., eight color plates) with historic illustrations of women's dresses from 1810-1914. Along with eight fashion prints, the catalog contains the locations of their factory and stores; contact information for sales representatives in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East; and cost and measurement conversions.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Frères Koechlin Trade Catalog, MSS 00496, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Purchase (Accession 2025.0135)
Processed by: Hailey Mandel, 2025 November; Collection guide written by Hailey Mandel, 2025 November
Front Cover: "Frères Koechlin, Société Anonyme: Mulhouse (Alsace), Maison Fondée en 1746: Impressions sur Etoffes en Tous Genres"
Translation: Koechlin Brothers, Inc.: Mulhouse (Alsace), House founded in 1746: Printing on Fabrics of All Types"
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
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[Identification of item], Frères Koechlin Trade Catalog, MSS 00496, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.