Carnet d'échantillons de dentelles / Sample book of laces, ca. 1800

8 individual samples of lace varieties, including examples of both real and machine loomed Chantilly, English applique (sewn to machined netting), and handmade needlepoint, Maline (Mechelen), Irish crochet, and Duchesse bobbin laces. Mounted in an unfussy booklet with pattern embossed wraps, approx. 6.5 square inches. 6 total leaves (3 blank) with samples also mounted to the inner covers. Labels read: Veritable Chantilly, Point a l'aiguille, Maline, Duchesse, Guipure D'Irlande, Application d'Angleterre, Duchesse (Bruges), Imitations Chantilly. Likely compiled by a dressmaker or clothier at the turn of the 19th century, when machine-made lace started becoming available. Prices indicated for several pieces of the handmade pieces (real Chantilly running 1 franc per centimeter)--it's possible that the scragglier sample of "imitation" Chantilly exiled to the back cover may have been a point of comparison, showing the buyer (who may have heard but not seen machine lace) it is of inferior quality to the real article.