A French-language history of Alençon needle lace (point d'Alençon) by Mme G. Despierres, published in Alençon and Paris in 1886. Part one revises the traditional account of the lace's origin and the establishment of the point de France manufacture under Colbert, drawing on archival contracts and correspondence. Part two describes how the lace was made, covering réseuil, lacis, point coupé, design, the specialised work stages, the bride and réseau grounds, Argentan lace, materials and workers' wages. Part three covers the trade from 1630 to 1881, including expositions, and part four is a dictionary of Alençon lace merchants and manufacturers with marriage-contract and inventory details. The book includes eight plates and vignettes of lace specimens and stitch samples.