The Holker Album: Textile Samples And Industrial Espionage In The 18th Century, Ariane Fennetaux, John Styles

A rare glimpse into the clandestine world of 18th-century textile production, The Holker Album: Textile Samples and Industrial Espionage in the 18th Century unveils a remarkable collection of fabric swatches gathered through covert means. This richly documented volume examines how the Holker family—key figures in France’s textile industry—compiled samples of British and continental cloth to advance French manufacturing during a time of fierce industrial rivalry.

Combining detailed photography of the album’s pages with scholarly essays, the book sheds light on the textures, dyes, and weaving techniques that shaped Europe’s booming textile trade. At once an archive of material ingenuity and a study in early industrial espionage, it offers readers an intimate look at the competitive and creative forces that propelled the fabric of modern industry.

About the Author
Ariane Fennetaux, a specialist in 18th-century clothing and consumption, explores how ordinary objects shaped identity and social practice. John Styles is a leading scholar of British textile history, known for his groundbreaking work on the lives of makers and wearers during the Industrial Revolution. Together, they reveal how humble fabrics and hidden stories illuminate wider histories of craft, commerce, and daily life.

Publication date: 2023
Publisher: ACC Art Books
Pages: 272
ISBN: 9782916914879