A History of Hand-Made Lace Dealing with the Origin of Lace, the Growth of the Great Lace Centres, the Mode of Manufacture, the Methods of Distinguishing and the Care of Various Kinds of Lace by JACKSON, Emily (Mrs. F. Nevill), with supplementary information by Ernesto Jesurum - 1900

London: L.U. Gill; NY: C. Scribner's Sons, 1900. First edition, American issue. Large 8vo. x, 245, (2) pp. of publisher's ads. 19 plates (brown & white) and numerous black & white images in the text. Light gray-brown reversed cloth decorated with lace and spider-web patterns in gold and ivory, lettered in gilt. A bit of foxing to patterned endpapers and edges, else few hints of wear to the text and bright binding. Very good.
A substantive, well-illustrated account with glossary, bibliography, and index. Mrs. Jackson's underlying theme is the work opportunity for English women to be found in lace-making as an income-producing, creative craft; she supports the idea systematically in the text and works it into the dedication to HRH Princess Christian, one of Queen Victoria's daughters, in particular recognition of her support for "women's work, whether of brain or hand." Also, includes "Ballade à Toile," words and music, written for the book and modeled on the dying tradition of work songs sung in the lace workshops of 16th century Italy (657).