This pattern book would seem to be a particularly fine example relating to the year 1832. Information, and indeed pattern books relating the 1830s are very scarce. However, Richard Shaw is known to have been a Norwich shawl manufacturer. Among the clients listed in the index are other Norwich shawl manufacturers, including the four entries for Clabburn. As Richard Shaw's name appears at the foot of the inside cover, after the index, it would seem that this is his pattern book listing designs sold to shawl manufacturers together with a pictorial record on point paper. The book is therefore an important contribution to knowledge of the Norwich shawl industry.

Three designs appear to have been sold to two different clients, one design appears to have been sold three times. The numbers are consecutive from 39 to 111, with no 79, 89, 99. Numbers 1-11, 16, 30, 35-6, 39, 113, 115, 117, 120-4 are also recorded. There is one fragment of a woven shawl border with a pattern very similar to the design above it on page 25. This is the only swatch in the pattern book.