(Embroidery) — Susanna Dorothea Riegl | A scarce German embroidery pattern book

(Embroidery) — Susanna Dorothea Riegl

Neues und zum Stricken dienliches Modelbuch ... [Nuremberg: Christoph and Susanna Riegl, 1756-1761?] 

5 parts in 1, oblong 4to (184 x 225 mm). 4 engraved titles, with 41 engraved plates (2 folding) of embroidery patterns: part 1: 2-10; part 2: 1-9; part 3: A-I; part 4: K-L, N; part 5: P-T, V, X-Z, aa-bb; numerous ownership stamps to front paste-down, title, and first plate (no.2), part 5 lacking title with additional plates presumed lacking throughout, scattered soiling and staining, especially to parts 4 and 5. Nineteenth-century sheep, spine gilt stamped, edges red-stained; stained and worn. 

A scarce German embroidery pattern book

Susanna Dorothea Riegl (or Riegel, Rieglin), was a craftswoman who specialized in knitting, embroidery, and needlework. She was married to the Nuremberg bookseller and publisher Christoph Riegl. After his death, she continued the business and published ibid (Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon Online). 

Most extant copies are imperfect, and we can trace only one other copy at auction: a stained and worn copy with 45 plates from 1984, which achieved $1,200. 

REFERENCE:

Staatlichen Kunstbibliothek Berlin, 1523

PROVENANCE:

Max Kost (ink stamps to preliminaries)