Prototype. Chapter text drafted from the research notes and not yet checked at the archives. Images awaiting permission are marked.

The Nylon Suite at the Hotel DuPont

Image · not yet checked at the source · Image permission pending

Made by: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company (product information photograph); carpet by James Lees and Sons Company ("Sculptex")
Date: 1945 (year approximate)
Place: Hotel DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware
Held by: Hagley Museum and Library
Collection: DuPont Company Product Information photographs (Accession 1972.341), Series V. Man made fibers, Subseries C. Nylon
Number: 1972341_1401 (related views 1972341_1366, _1369, _1371, _1373)
Themes: Nylon & synthetic fibers (DuPont), Woven carpet

View at the source Cited in chapter 6, note 9

Cite this source

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company (product information photograph); carpet by James Lees and Sons Company ("Sculptex"). “The Nylon Suite at the Hotel DuPont,” 1945 (year approximate). 1972341_1401 (related views 1972341_1366, _1369, _1371, _1373), DuPont Company Product Information photographs (Accession 1972.341), Series V. Man made fibers, Subseries C. Nylon, Hagley Museum and Library. digital.hagley.org/1972341_1401.

Research notes

Photograph with caption (Hagley summary): "The gold bedroom draperies, green upholstery of the chair, marquisette window curtain and carpet are among the all nylon uses in The Nylon Suite, a new deluxe feature of the Hotel DuPont. ... James Lees and Sons Company's Sculptex carpet is on the floor. An all nylon face in grey-green, the carpet does not attract moths or other insects." Four more views of the suite (1972341_1366, _1369, _1371, _1373) carry similar captions; 1373 says the Lees carpet "with face of 100% long wearing nylon, covers the floors of the foyer living room and bedroom." Date: Hagley gives "1945 (year approximate)" for all five. That looks early: DuPont's July 1948 Hotel du Pont press release (1984259_010913_168) describes nylon furnishings being installed then, so the suite may date c. 1948. End year set to 1948 for that reason; tagged possible until checked. Why it matters: Nylon chapter: an all-nylon-face carpet by a named mill (James Lees & Sons, "Sculptex") in a DuPont showcase room, among the earliest nylon carpets found. Found: Hagley Digital Archives, collection search "carpet" in DuPont Company product information collection, 2026-10-28.