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Leatherwork Resource on Google Books

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Submitted by Corby on Mon, 08/31/2009 - 3:59pm

Just found this and thought it useful for anyone interested in leather decoration and the peculiar instructional styles of the early 20th century in in England.

A curious sample:
Of this work, as indeed of all kinds, it may be said that it may be to the last degree trashy, or else nobly artistic, according to the skill and taste bestowed on it. One of the greatest and best known artists in England once expressed to me the opinion that owing to the tremendous production by machinery of cheap decorative art work, that which is made by hand must necessarily be confined to a comparatively few amateurs or artists who love the work for its own sake. But I believe that if these amateurs would pay proper attention to design, and think more of original invention, they would keep continually in advance of the machines. For the workman who is a clever designer can give a new design with every work. 
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