This is the place to come to learn about Avery style needle cases.

Different Chromolithography Prints

Chromolithography was one of the most popular methods of color printing in the late 19th century.  A separate metal plate or stone was created for each color that was to be part of the overall design.  After the design for one of the colors was etched onto the plate using chemicals, the color was added and paper was passed through a press like device so the color was applied to the paper.  The same piece of paper was then passed through the press numerous times depending upon the number of colors in the design.  The end result was a color print of the design.  Often pasteboard, a solid cardboard with a paper backing, was used instead of regular paper as it was much thicker and therefore more durable.  To date the Fan and the Picture in Cruciform Frame are the only Avery style needle cases we have found that contain chromolithography prints.

Photographs of the chromolithography variations listed below can be found on our individual Avery needle case web pages.  To see these photographs, select the Master List option from the menu bar at the top of this page.   Then select the appropriate needle case type which will provide you with links to the individual needle case pages.  However we may not have photos of all of these which is why we need your help.  If you have a needle case with one of these variations that doesn’t include a photo, or know of someone who has it, or have a new variation, please contact us so we can work with you to obtain a photograph.


Fan Version 1 (only found with Dog/Bee and Cupid (side view)/Bee brass covers)


  1. 6-girl reading small book
  2. 7-girl with dog
  3. 8-girl with small umbrella
  4. 9-girl reading large book

Fan Version 2 (only found with Cupid (front view) brass covers)


  1. 6-cherub with bail of wheat
  2. 7-cherub with scarf and red bird (cardinal)
  3. 8-cherub with plate and grapes
  4. 9-cherub with garland

Fan Version 3 (only found with Rose brass covers)


  1. 6-cherries
  2. 7-butterfly with rose
  3. 8-red/orange hibiscus
  4. 9-red/orange hibiscus

Fan Version 4 (only found with Rose brass covers)


  1. 6/12-cherries
  2. 7-cherries
  3. 8-basket of flowers and sun hat
  4. 9-red/orange hibiscus

Fan Version 5 (only found with Rose brass covers)


  1. 6-portrait of girl in pink
  2. 7-cherries
  3. 8-cherub with garland
  4. 9-basket of flowers and sun hat

Fan Version 6 (only found with Rose brass covers)


  1. 6-washbowl with pitcher
  2. 7-angel playing flute
  3. 8-bird with red head and holly
  4. 9-bee skep

Fan Version 7 (only found with Rose brass covers)


  1. 6 1/2-cherub with bag of arrows
  2. 7-portrait of lady in green
  3. 8-rose
  4. 9-basket of flowers and sun hat

Fan Version 8 (only found with Rose brass covers)


  1. 6 1/2-cherries
  2. 7-portrait of lady in green
  3. 8-cherub with garland
  4. 9-portrait of lady in blue

Fan Version 9 (only found with Rose brass covers)


  1. 6-cherub with arrows
  2. 7-butterfly with rose
  3. 8-cherub with garland
  4. 9-portrait of lady in blue

Fan Version 10 (only found with Swan brass covers)


  1. 6-washbowl and pitcher
  2. 7-cherub with flute
  3. 8-bow and arrows
  4. 9-landscape

Picture in Cruciform Frame Version 1 - Pasteboard Insert


  1. With girl and cats on the front and a girl at the beach with a bucket of water on the back

Picture in Cruciform Frame Version 2 - Pasteboard Insert


  1. With two girls and flowers on the front and a vase with flowers on the back

Master List

To date 227 Avery style needle cases have been discovered.  Visit these pages to see photographs of each design as well as the original design registration or patent and gain knowledge about variations within each design.

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Avery Survey

In 2013 an Avery Survey was created in order to gather as much information as possible about Avery style needle cases from collectors and interested parties around the world.  The Avery Survey is easy to complete and gives you a chance to contribute to this important research.  Be sure and stop here to see the survey results.

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About Us

Learn how the author turned a hobby cross stitching antique sampler reproductions into a passion for collecting Avery needle cases resulting in a published book, a Wikipedia article, a TCI Bulletin article and conference presentation and this website.

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