From the back cover:
In this booklet an attempt to review and explain some of the techniques available to commercial textile dyers in europe before 1600. This is based on contemporary accounts and practical experimentation in recreating fabrics using the surviving recipes. In medieval Italy in particular textile manufacture had already reached a high degree of technical excellence. This slowly spread across Europe. By the 16th century further advances had been made and new tropical dyestuffs enhance the work of the dyers.