Thomas Lester, His Lace and the East Midlands Industry 1820-1905

The 19th century saw a sad decline in the fortunes of the English handmade lace industry, yet in the East Midlands the period also witnessed some of its most interesting and remarkable designs. A key figure in this achievement was the Bedford lace merchant Thomas Lester. This book sets his designs and the development of his family business against the fashions of the period, the conditions in the industry and of its workers, and the relentless competition from machine made lace.