Historical information

This lacemaker instruction booklet together with the lacemaker was owned by Kallista woman, Beryl Collett (1925-2018) who was a skilled lacemaker from her youth and who used the lacemaker (and presumably this booklet) most of her life. Both of these may have first belonged to her mother (Hettie Collett nee Thorn) who was a very talented milliner and from whom Beryl first learnt her handicraft skills. This lacemaker and accompanying booklet are part of a large and varied range of objects relating to Beryl which has been donated to the Museum. The Dandenongs have been the chosen home of many creative people who, like Beryl, have found inspiration in the natural beauty of the area. Much of Beryl's own handiwork held by the Museum was created by her following her retirement from her accountancy job in 1980 and so epitomises the potential of the retirement phase of people's lives.

Significance

This lacemaker and manual enabled women like Beryl and her mother before her to create beautiful lacework.

Physical description

This booklet has a maroon-color soft cover. Inside is mainly text with some black and white drawn illustrations.

Inscriptions & markings

On front cover printed: 'Vol. 1 / The / Duchess / Lace Maker / Published by / The Duchess Torchon Lace Co. / 22 Royal Arcade / Melbourne'
On back cover in bottom right corner: 'Wilke, Mitchell & Co. / Printers / 7 Flinders Court / Melbourne'