help wanted on 18th century crafts

juleswatson · Post by **juleswatson** » Tue February 10th, 2009, 4:36 pm

Hi everyone,

I hope you can help. A reader contacted me; she is starting a novel and wants to track down info on "the leather industry back in the 1700's in Scotland" She does not know where to start, and this is way out of my own area of expertise. I did all my research aons ago from books. Would anyone have any good sites I could direct her to that might cover 18th C crafts in Europe? Just something to get her started, even? I've seen some of the index sites listed on the forum, which I will give her, but hoped someone might know of something more specific for that era.

annis · Post by **annis** » Tue February 10th, 2009, 4:59 pm

This nineteenth century book looks as if it could be useful. There is a chapter on the leather industry. It might be a library inter-loaner, though. If your friend lives in the States, judging by the library stamp on the cover, it should definitely be available as an inter-loan there

David Bremner
"The Industries of Scotland: their Rise, Progress and Present Condition."
.http://www.electricscotland.com/history/industrial/

juleswatson · Post by **juleswatson** » Tue February 10th, 2009, 7:29 pm

Gosh, that was quick. Thanks a lot, I have already passed it on. She is French, actually, so it's pretty hard for her. I told her to look on abebooks.com, as I always got a lot of obscure books from there.

Volgadon · Post by **Volgadon** » Wed February 11th, 2009, 10:06 am

I would say have her find some books on the leather industry in France at the time, that might be a good place to start from.

juleswatson · Post by **juleswatson** » Wed February 11th, 2009, 10:43 am

[quote=""annis""]This nineteenth century book looks as if it could be useful. There is a chapter on the leather industry.

David Bremner
"The Industries of Scotland: their Rise, Progress and Present Condition."
.http://www.electricscotland.com/history/industrial/[/quote]

She found it immediately on Abebooks, Annis, so thanks. She is happy. And will pass on the message Volgadon. I think people just get stuck where to start. In a week, I had one reader ask me about Alfred the Great's translated works, one about ancient tattooing, and one about this, 18th century leather! Now they are all sorted.

princess garnet · Post by **princess garnet** » Wed February 11th, 2009, 5:17 pm

Has your reader looked on the National Library of Scotland online catalog?

annis · Post by **annis** » Wed February 11th, 2009, 6:08 pm

Sounds as if you could have a seconary occupation as a refernce libraraian, Jules. I'm a bit dismayed to discover that the info from David Bremner's book appears to be available online, so your friend may not have needed to buy the actual book. (Slaps oneself upside the head!) Whether this is the complete text or not i don't know.
http://www.electricscotland.com/history ... stry16.htm

juleswatson · Post by **juleswatson** » Thu February 19th, 2009, 11:31 am

Sorry, I have been offline for a week but wanted to say thanks you guys for all your suggestions, which I did pass on. I don't think she spent much on the book, Annis, and I like to have my reference books in hard copy, anyway - all lined up so I actually look as if I might be working! I am not sure why my readers think I will know how to track down things outside "my area". It's all there if you look! Thanks again.

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Thu February 19th, 2009, 8:04 pm

I, too, like to have any important reference books in hard copy.

Jules, I am so impressed by the lengths to which you go to answer reader questions!

juleswatson · Post by **juleswatson** » Thu February 19th, 2009, 8:33 pm

[quote=""Margaret""]I, too, like to have any important reference books in hard copy[/quote]

I sometimes sit and stare at them all and then I suddenly remember what I was looking for

[quote=""Margaret""]Jules, I am so impressed by the lengths to which you go to answer reader questions![/quote]

I seem to find I am incapable of NOT answering, being so amazed and grateful that anyone would love my books enough to come and tell me! Someone just told me I was referenced on some forum for being an author who always wrote back...then I got too busy, and did not write back to the poor person (about how I always write back) for 3 months!