Those of us interested in the history of lace will, I am sure, enjoy the article with the above title in "Textile History" the journal of the Pasold Research Fund Ltd, vol.43 number 2 of November 2012. It was written by Jean Hemingway of Bowes Museum. The editor's introduction to the article sums it up: "Jane Clarke (c.1794-1859) of Regent Street, London, was well-known as a lace merchant and milliner at prestigious addresses and as an exhibitor at major exhibitions, but her means of livelihood has become a cultural interestwhich has survived the woman herself. After summarising what is known about Jane Clarke's family, this biographical article describes the context and the development of her London business and its expansion into Lancashire. It then focuses on Clarke herself - her awards and honours, her lace and antiques collections and her new suburban home. Comparisons are made between Clarke and other London merchants. Jane Clarke's achievements are of interest to historians considering the careers of Madame Elise, court dressmaker, and Anthony Blackborne, lace merchant, each of whom took over a part of her business in 1859." Of particular interest to some of us, of course, is the Blackborne connection, as significant parts of her lace entered the Met's collection, and more recently Bowes'. Another superb piece of lace, not mentioned in the article, is the flounce acquired by Blackborne in 1859, sold by him to the Spencer family (Princess Diana's ancestors) and bought recently by Honiton Museum. The article gives a fascinating insight into the life of a Victorian business woman and how the retail trade operated; nothing like Paradise, for UK televiewers! The journal is published by Maneys, ISSN 0040-4969. Unfortunately, as far as I can make out from the website, http://www.maneypublishing.com/ the article would cost over USD30, so I suspect it is a case for non-subscribers of borrowing it from a library or institution that does subscribe. With best wishes to all for a happy and healthy 2013 Leonard
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