Front:
OOO0
Lacemaking SA 22
PST
14
1987
48191
MI
Back:
MODERN LACEMAKING
First Day of Issue: August 14, 1987
First Issue Location: Ypsilant, Michigan
Lacemaking reached its highest artistic achievements
during the Renaissance. Then, it was a mark of prosper-
ity, and it was even glorified in art by such painters as
Raphael, Frans Hals and Velazquez. Female master
lacemakers were in great demand by the courts of
Europe, even until the eighteenth century. At that time,
the English developed a successful lace machine, and
by 1780, the French began using lace net machines as
well. In 1809, Englishman John Heathcoat patented the
first “bobbin net" machine, which John Leavers improved
in 1813. Leavers machine became the basis for all lace
machines used today. Although such machines can ac-
curately copy almost every kind of lace made by hand,
machine-made lace has a flat, dull appearance, can
ravel, and has more irregularities in patterns. Fortunately,
America is still the home of many master lacemakers
whose nimble hands and exquisite design has led a
resurgence in this folk art.
No. 87-78
1987 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by Tom Bjarnason.
