This hardback signed edition is in very good condition. Externally there is some mild edge wear to the top of the spine and top corners of the book. Internally the book is signed in ink on the title page by the author, all the pages are clean, tight and unmarked. This comprehensive study covers all aspects of the lace industry - machine building, lace making, lace merchanting and working practices - during the two hundred years in which exports of lace fabric and machinery from the three East Midlands counties dominated the world lace trade. Starting from the industry's inception in framework knitting in the 1970's, the development and location of the various types of machines used in this complicated industry and the effect of their changing technology is charted. Close examination is made of the often uneasy relationships between the various sections of the industry, and it is shown why Nottingham stayed the marketing centre of the lace trade even throughout the three East Midland