Laurie Waters of Lace News reminded her subscribers this week that 2014 is the 500th anniversary of the birth of Barbara Uthmann. She lived to the age of about 61; a long life for the time. There have been mentions of her in quite a few articles in lace organization bulletins, and in German-language lace books. Expensive books - without translations. Has any book or booklet ever been written in English about this heroine of lace making? I would like to add it to my library. If not, it would be nice if someone would publish, in English, a book or booklet about Uthmann that everyone could be able to purchase. The operative word here is English! Per Wikipedia, Uthmann was one of the greatest supporters of bobbin lace making in Annaberg, Germany, at a very early period in the history of bobbin lace. Her accomplishments, as a woman at that time, seem extraordinary. She successfully continued the business of her deceased husband, but failed as a result of intrigue by her competition. She was forced to look for another occupation, and it is generally believed that she was an active manufacturer of braids, employing over 900 braid makers. She left behind considerable evidence of her work (illustration opportunities for a book), and that includes the tradition that she brought bobbin lace making to the region. Her business was reputed to be the second largest in the area during her lifetime (after mining). It appears that there are open questions about the lace connection (per the Wikipedia entry), but with advanced computer research capabilities of the 21st C., it should be possible to produce the truth. A bronze figure of Barbara Uthmann was raised in the town of Annaberg in 1885, melted down in 1942 or 1944 (dates from 2 sources) for armaments in World War II, and a new casting was erected in 2002 as a result of a massive fund raising project. There should be some reputable research written in 2002. German-speakers -- please tell us how to obtain a book or booklet in English, or please share your lace history with us! (I realize that publishing a book in 2014 will be quite labor-intensive, but we need solid references to go to, not Wikipedia entries!) Many thanks, Jeri Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace & Embroidery Resource Center
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