Sample book from the Bayer Company, Inc. — the North American extension of the German company, Farbenfabriken vorm. Friedrich Bayer & Co.—containing mounted dyed yarn and cotton thread samples. Bayer & Co. was the first incarnation of the modern pharmaceutical company, Bayer AG, originally established to manufacture and sell synthetic dyestuffs.

Benzo refers to the benzene functional group of the dye molecule, indicating the chemistry of direct cotton color from coal-tar (aniline) derivatives. The samples illustrate benzo colors on cotton cloth samples after treatment with soda ash and sodium chloride (table salt). The text includes directions, dye concentrations and formulas, and information on color fastness.