William CLARK 1830 - 1902   Draper,  Lambton Quay Wellington 1854 -  
Williams "Daily Sales Books" feature in NZ's' early settlement.
Auckland dress and textile historian Angela Lassig was researching in the Alexander Turnbull Library 2018 when she found the 'Day Books' of a Wellington draper who kept meticulous records for 20 years of his daily sales to his customers. He sold goods to all levels of society and to the government, military and the church. These day books record each customer's name and their purchases . . . A cashmere shawl, a pair of kid gloves, a velvet cloak, lace or braid or 6 yards of printed 'dimity'.
Angela Lassig received a research grant from the Friends of the Turnbull Library towards her project. She is working on the publication of an illustrated book on the history of women’s dress in nineteenth century New Zealand. Ms Lassig has drawn almost all her material from the rich and diverse collections of the Turnbull Library. She has found letters and diaries, cartoons and advertisements, sketchbooks and photographs, which will help to create an accessible social history for the study and enjoyment of New Zealand women’s dress and textile heritage. Selected images will be accompanied by detailed descriptions of the women, their clothing, their social circumstances and additional information such as about the dressmakers and drapery shops that may have been available to women at the time.        
Presentations in Wellington and Auckland in April 2019  Talk Brochure >     
Also hear recorded interview October2018  Radio NZ Interview >