PATTERN BOOK

[Clothes]: [Book of tracing paper with patterns for fabric]. England, 19th century.

Volume of fabric patterns inked in the nineteenth century on tracing paper. It includes three loose folded-in sheets, one a small one with a pattern marked "the pocket of an apron". The connection of the book with women's industry and consumption is shown in a page found in it, of small patterns intertwined with women's names (Agnes, Selena and Sophia). We find folded in the book a small sheet with a printed pattern, titled "[...] Square, Newgate Street, London, Copyright No. 1". This is a delicate piece of print ephemera, which is lucky to survive.

Found at the end of the book are three pages with pencilled sketches from the early twentieth century for women's couture. It is interesting that the item had such a long life on dressmakers' shelves.

Details  

One volume of tracing paper, 25.1 cms. x 18.6 cms. in binding, c.118 pages with inked patterns (versos blank). + three folded in loose sheets (two discussed above) + 3 pp. with 20th-cent. pencilled drawings. Bound in half-green leather and marbled paper over boards, marbled pastedowns and endpapers (binding very deteriorated). Inscription erased on front free endpaper verso.