The Ladyís Album of Fancy Work; Consisting of Novel, Elegant and Useful Designs in Knitting, Netting, Crochet, and Embroidery, with Care and Explicit Directions for Working the Patterns.

First edition, 4to (233 x 190 mm), vi, [2], 43, [3] + 8pp., of publishers adverts, 40 full-page illustrations, interspersed between the text leaves, consisting of red, blue and green lithograph plates (these are unpaginated), glazed lavender endpapers with the autograph bookplate of Mrs. Baddeley, pictorial boards with overall lace design, cloth reback, rubbed, all edges gilt, The rare first edition of this work which acts as a guidebook for women learning the needle-arts. The ìaddressî invokes the history of English embroidery and ìthe high degree of excellence to which our countrywomen attained in this admirable art.î The anonymous author promises that this book will contain both useful and clear instructions, as well as bear ìan elegant ornament to the work-table.î The ëLadyís Album of Fancy Workí contains instructions for items such as ìElegant Sofa-Cushion (Crochet), Lace Collar (Knitting), Indian Ornamental WorkóNetting and Crochet Box, Ladyís Silk Mitten (Netting), Ladyís Night-cap and Border (Knitting)î etc. Of this rare first edition, JISC locates a single copy at the V&A; OCLC adds a copy located in Sweden.