Objects Database

Black's Anorak

Accession Number

310.2008.1

Object Name

Black's Anorak

Created

11/11/2008

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

11/11/2008

Brief Description

Blue cotton canvas anorak. Drawstring hood. Large zipped chest pocket. Drawstring waist. Crutch strap with button tie. Zipper at neck. Button tie pockets at either side of front.

Materials

cotton canvas

Dimensions

From neck 81(l) x 67(w)cms. Sleeve 56 (l) cms.

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

Label inside back reads "MAKER'S BLACK'S GREENOCK" Size label reads "38"

Colour

blue

Maker

Black's

Object Production Place

Scotland

Provenance

As we don't know the history of this anorak we thought some background on the makers might be of interest.
Thomas Black founded a sailmaking and chandlering business in Greenock, Scotland in 1863. His son, also Thomas, changed the emphasis and direction of the company in the early 1900's by diversyfying into tent manufacture which reaped big rewards from military contracts during World War 1.
Always ahead of the game, Black's Good Companion Catalogue was launched in 1932, a sumptious blend of equipment and narrative, way ahead of its time and proving to be an excellent marketing tool. The Arctic Guinea Tent and the Black's Icelandic Sleeping Bag were icons of the 1950's and 60's camping scene, as were the various types of Black's anoraks, one of which we have here in the collection.
Not sure how this found its way into the collection, but like many of these upper clothing garments it is often difficult knowing what to call them. Anorak and parka are Inuit words, the latter tending to be longer(knee length) and padded whereas the former is normally waist length and not always padded. Both would normally have a attached hood.

Acquisition Date

11/11/2008

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

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