Dr H.J. Yallop

Special offer for a limited period only

usually £20.00 - now only £10.00

Honiton lace is one of the world's great laces and this book for the first time tells the full story of the industry that produces it, from its beginnings in the sixteenth century to its demise in the twentieth. Over 100 photographs illustrate the history of design in Honiton lace as well as the technical aspects of manufacture. There is an intensive bibliography which is the most comprehensive in the field yet to appear and forms a useful source of reference.

Part 1 discusses the course of the industry from its foundation in the mid-16th century. The successful period in the 17th and 18th centuries is described and illustrates a thriving industry which played a significant part in a local economy but which also made an important contribution to the major fashion markets at home and abroad. The disastrous effects of the invention of net and lace making machinery are examined and the long period of decline is studied.

Part 2 considers the people who were involved in the industry. These include the manufacturers, who were responsible for the organisation of the industry, the designers, the thread suppliers, the distributors and the retailers.

There is an extensive bibliography which is the most comprehensive in this field yet to appear and forms a useful source of reference. Over 100 photographs illustrate the history of design in Honiton lace as well as technical aspects of manufacture. This separate section both illustrates the text and stands as a pictorial record in its own right.

Dr John Yallop OBE PhD MA BSc CChem FRSC, a native of the West Country, was at school in Honiton. 1n parallel to a long career in chemistry he carried out private research in Devon history, and was appointed honorary curator of Allhallows Museum, Honiton, in l974. His research on & history of Honiton lace led to the award of PhD by Exeter University. He died over in the mid 1990's but his work carries on in the Allhallows Museum, where he was the main force in forming the world famous lace collection on view today.

"This is a satisfying study, provoking much thought on domestic industries of the past, and perhaps of the future too."
Business History

"I highly recommend it not only to lacemakers . . . but also to anyone interested in textiles or the social and historical aspects of cottage industries."
Canadian Lacemaker Gazette

"Dr Yallop's book is a treasure chest filled with new clues for those who approach lace as a fascinating puzzle."
The Lace Collector

Special offer for a limited period only

usually £20.00 - now only £10.00