Early specimen of artificial silk, 1883.

Early specimen of artificial silk, 1883.

Specimens of viscose artificial silk (cellulose acetate), 1883-1925.

Earliest existing specimen of viscose rayon, 1898.

Piece of viscose rayon with a detailed flower design, c 1880s.

Three patterned samples of artificial silk, c 1883.

Framed samples of Chardonnet artificial silk, 1896.

Specimen of Sir William Perkin's original artificial preparation of Alizarin, 1869.

Viscose rayon (artificial silk), 1896-1900.

Bobbin of artificial silk produced by Legh Powell, 1885-1886.

Eight skeins of viscose rayon (artificial silk), c 1902.

Eight skeins of viscose rayon (artificial silk), c 1902.