Hi Linda, from my brief look on my phone it’s sewing not embroidery thread but a great selection. It also appears to be on wooden reels - top photo. I will look later when home. I also look forwards to what others say.

This appears to be cotton sewing thread...could be very old. I googled it, and found that it started in 1930. I found this on the variegated, and it looks a lot like some I have had for quilting. It appears to be 50 Wt. And appears to be Vintage....

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/retors-brillante-cartier-bresson-415587983


https://www.etsy.com/listing/533999937/9-retors-brillante-paris-cotton-thread

I have used regular thread in my embroidery machine so you could use it if it is still ok.
Maybe for names with the Varigated. Just use a thread stand that brings it up high to feed off of the reels.

I too have thre same variegated thread and use it on my Husqvarna emb. machine .Go 4 it Hugs

I think I have some of these from my late SIL. Have not used them yet. Hugs

I got my first embroidery machine in 1994 a few years after they came onto the market & I can't remember ever seeing embroidery thread on wooden reels.If it is clean ,try out a simple design that you have done before & compare the results.

The variegated could be used for embroidery. Show the top of those spools. Don't think I have ever seen variegated sewing thread. Hugs. Nan

I bought my first sewing machine in 1963 and did quite a lot of free hand machine embroidery at the time, called thread painting. Cotton embroidery thread was recommended for it and I had quite a collection of DMC thread, carrying the DMC mark or was sold under the Bernina name with small print that it was made by DMC.
I bought some Anchor thread in the 70s.
I even have some left that I occasionally use and it still stitches out very well.

I added a picture of what I have left. MEZ, DMC, Anchor and Zwicky. All cotton, 30 wt and 50 wt. The 50wt is ideal for small lettering, the 30 wt is more robust.
The 30 wt Anchor says: Machine Embroidery,
the 50 wt MEZ: Machinen Stick- und Stopfgarn.
the Zwicky: fil à reprise (or darning thread)
and the DMC only mentions it's made in Paris.

Some spools are made of plastic, the older ones are wooden or cardboard.

Hi there, In answer to your question, these threads can be used for both sewing and embroidery. I have some and they work ok. If you can slow your embroidery machine speed down, that is better. There is a series of emb designs called "Hummel" which are meant to imitate German hand stitchery. "Gutermann" threads are recommended/used for them, so your collection would work too. I have used my cotton and polyester threads for other designs and that is ok too.

if you want to use them, but maybe not on your expensive emb. machine, they look fabulous if you put them on the Upper Looper on your Overlock/Serger Machine. Use the smallest stitch length. Make good edges

Thanks all for the commentaar !
I Will accept them and Will give it a try and show the result !

Wonderful set of verigates. I look forward to seeing what you make with them.