The term 'Dealer in Cloth' can be broken down into two job descriptions: Draper and Mercer. A Draper is someone who sells cloth, fabrics, and other materials used for clothing and upholstery. A Mercer is a dealer in luxury fabrics, such as silks, velvets, and brocades. Both of these professions have been around since the Middle Ages, when they were responsible for supplying fabrics to tailors and dressmakers.