Pearsalls 6a, 6a Antique or 6B?

[Sooty Olive]

Hi,

I picked up some previously discontinued Pearsalls at last years fly fair.
Has anyone been able to compare these to the original colours? Is the 6a antique like the original 6a before they changed the coulour?

Which is correct for a Partridge & Orange?



Sorry about quality of photo it's my first and can't seem to get flies in focus.

Thanks,

Sooty Olive

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by Sooty Olive

Sorry about quality of photo it's my first and can seem to get flies in focus.

You did a good Job of the bobbins though

I couldn't say which is called for in the original dressing. Someone on here will know though. As far as fishing goes.... you and the fish decide. Innit.

One thing's for sure... there's only one 'orange' in that pic.

[noeyedeer]

As far as I can tell - you've been done mate!

Unless it's the photography, but Pearsalls of that vintage should be on wooden spools, not plastic!!

[richardw]

Originally Posted by Sooty Olive

Hi,

I picked up some previously discontinued Pearsalls at last years fly fair.
Has anyone been able to compare these to the original colours? Is the 6a antique like the original 6a before they changed the coulour?

Which is correct for a Partridge & Orange?



Sorry about quality of photo it's my first and can't seem to get flies in focus.

Thanks,

Sooty Olive

Wet the flies and see if the colour changes to a light mahogany colour? If it does then that is the right one. I can't remember the original colour number but I am lucky enough to have a stock that I bought new in the old days when it was easily obtained. Mine is all on wooden spools. The colour darkens when wet to a faded mahogany furniture colour that is remarkably similar to the natural colour of the real nymphs of various ephemerids.

richard

[midlander]

From the looks of it the 6a to the left is correct, or as near as. They call it 'gold' nowadays. The 6a (antique) is actually shade 19 (hot orange) and 6b is 6b.

Pearsall's started using plastic spools around the mid to late 80s so some of the old shades were still available even on plastic spools. Even on the old wooden spools there was slight colour differences in some spools due to the different dyeing batches.

[Sooty Olive]

They weren't sold as original threads but new production supposedly to the old colours. The company has connections to Pearsalls but isn't actually Pearsalls. Hence question as to how authentic their "old" colours are.
Pearsalls Embroidery

[noeyedeer]

Originally Posted by midlander

Pearsall's started using plastic spools around the mid to late 80s so some of the old shades were still available even on plastic spools. Even on the old wooden spools there was slight colour differences in some spools due to the different dyeing batches.

Good Point! - Hadn't thought about a gradual move over to plastic spools using the old shades.. All my "old" (1970's) spools are wooden....
I guess the only way to know if you have the "original" authentic shade is if it was dyed in the Pearsalls dyehouse using the same dyestuffs, recipe, water etc before the move to Cardiff. Note that if you have silk (or cotton), it is a natural fibre and always subject to variation of substrate depending on region source, yarn twist, tension on spool etc. Polyester less so. Dyestuff supply has also changed significantly in the last 40yrs as has the list of allowed/safe dyebath additives, so the modern recipes may have been adapted accordingly.

Originally Posted by Sooty Olive

They weren't sold as original threads but new production supposedly to the old colours. The company has connections to Pearsalls but isn't actually Pearsalls. Hence question as to how authentic their "old" colours are. Pearsalls Embroidery

If you got it from John @ Pearsalls Embroidery then you have the right stuff!
When the business was moved from the original Pearsall's factory, I'd have thought the dyelot recipes would have been transferred along with the yarn specs. I believe significant effort was put in to replicate the original shades - you could always email your pic to them for an expert opinion.

[sabalos]

hi, orange partridge should be 6a pearsalls. however other colours will work i am sure. think it as edmonds and lee who tried to standardise the silk colours.
i catch better with yellow partridge why ? no idea....
atb , dave

[BRUCE1]

6a .............


Edmonds and Lee