The Goodhart Samplers Dorothy Bromiley Phelan/Eva-Lotta Hansson/Jacqueline Holdsworth Published by Needleprint 2008, $80, 263 pages 12" x 10 1/2", full color ISBN 978-0-9552086-2-1 Not just another sampler book - a scholarly organized treatment of the collection of samplers at Montacute House, England. Should be in libraries of museums that have needlework collections. This book is greatly enhanced by employing the magic of computers to segregate and enlarge motifs and show them "cut out", in a manner resembling paper dolls. Indeed, the tiny "boxer" figures on some 18th C. English band samplers are treated in this way. It is delightful to see them in embroidered clothing, face forward, body facing sideways, and usually holding a flower. There is no satisfactory (to me) explanation of these little guys or why they were named "boxers". It is an area of research for an enterprising scholar. All photos are in color, and in the case of faded stitches, it seems the color has been captured and enhanced. Textures can be seen because of magical camera work. The layout of pages is easy to follow. On the left there is a picture of a sampler and text about it. On the right are features from the sampler chosen to be enlarged for further enjoyment. It is not until page 118 that lace openwork bands appear - beautiful needle lace employing detached buttonhole, dove's eyes, Greek, needle-weaving, picots, spider webs. And whipped, needle-woven and buttonholed bars. These continue to page 173; 55 pages - the size of many lace books, for which lacemakers pay a goodly sum. Further on is a sampler featuring hollie point - a technique rarely seen in sampler format. In these pages you will find two totally needle lace samplers: 1) The famous Mary Quelch 1609 needle lace and hollie point sampler - larger and clearer than in previous publications. 2) Another 17th C. all needle lace sampler is by Ioanna Veitch. All the rest are embroidered. It can be seen that many embroidered motifs could be inspiration for lacemakers, and many needle lace motifs could be inspiration for embroiderers. I had the good fortune to view a selection of these samplers at Montacute House in 2007, and must admit they all looked much darker and were most difficult to see on the walls of a dark hallway where they were exhibited. If you ever plan to go there, be sure to carry a small flashlight (torch, to the British) in your purse for close viewing. Please search (Google) Goodhart Samplers for more information. Reviewer has been told this book is quite difficult to find. My copy came from Ruth Kern in the U.S. There is also the option of Interlibrary Loan. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
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