Elizabeth Scofield

In an effort to be more budget conscious, I requested this book from the library via interlibrary loan to review it before deciding to purchase it. I requested the book as I am interested in identifying and selling off parts of my textile collection and need to educate myself on the type and price of lace I am selling.

I was very happy to pay the few dollars to transport the book to my local library and was so impressed with the content, that I ended up purchasing the book from an online bookseller before my library book was due.

The content of the book is explained on the cover: 20th Century Linens and Lace: A Guide to Identification, Care and Prices of Household Linens.

The book carefully explains the different types of linens from the author's collection with photographs, and has close ups of the fine lace details where rare or important, so the reader can see why the lace is in demand.

The description and photograph is mostly one or two photographs per page, with a small two or three line paragragh accompanying the photo. Occasionally, there is a summary page of content regarding the history of the lace profiled.

The book has excellent photography, and thankfully no amateur photos. For some of the unusual lace pieces, they are even draped in the appropriate setting (on a table, bed or the arm of a chair) so you can see how the lace was used.

The back of the book has valuable information divided up into sections: How to Maintain Your Collection, Pricing Guide and Index. Most people skip the back of a book notes, but be sure to read these few extra pages, as they are noteworthy.

I found the book to be excellent, but the pieces shown were only from the author's collection and therefore, we did not end up seeing rare museum pieces and some rare lacework did not have close up photographs - I'm sure this was due to book printing costs.

The information presented is good, if brief, and the pricing guide is quite accurate, however, the pricing is only for pieces in excellent condition.

This will be a foundation book for my lace identification guides that I am currently purchasing, and is highly recommended as a tool for the beginning and intermediate collector of laces.… (más)