Anyone who knows me, also knows that my criteria for collecting any textile related book is that I do not already own it. That aside, I must say that I am fascinated with news coming out of the UK that a catalog is available from the new “Threads of Feeling: The London Foundling Hospital’s Textile Tokens 1740-1770″” exhibition. By the way, print matter under 100 pages is called a “catalog.”
In the mid 18th century, mothers who could not care for their infants brought them to the “Foundling Hospital” and were encouraged to leave behind a small textile to identify the baby should they ever be able to reclaim the child. The result is the collection of an amazing number of fabrics of all kinds that represent what was sold for textiles in England, at that time. The “catalog” is 72 pages long and has 60 color illustrations. The price is 11 pounds. If ordering with a Paypal account, one can convert the type of currency easily. I believe the cost translates to about $17. USD.
I am eager to see this catalog as I had recently purchased a book about clothing of ordinary people in the 18th century, by the same author, John Styles. The amazon.com site in the United States lists the item but says it is unavailable/ out of print. It was first published in October 2010 and is easy enough to order directly from the UK. The exhibit will be available until March 6, 2011.
Here is another link to read the report that Kathryn Hughes wrote in “The Guardian.” Enjoy this wonderful article!
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
