Since the 13th and 14th centuries regulations were created by all trades concerning admission to a trade and its practice. This resulted in guilds and trade unions which also provided social assistance in cases of illness or death. To acquire the title of Master the apprentice had to produce masterpieces to prove his ability. The Archives of the City of Innsbruck contain in the Council Records of the 16th cent., detailed elaboration of the Rules of the Tailor Guild. Several Masterpiece Books, most of which go back to 1545 are preserved in the Fernandeum. These books contain accounts on materials used. In 1777 the Innsbruck Tailor Guild abolished the requirement of using the masterpieces at examinations. A new Masterpiece Book was introduced in 1779 with patterns and models of contemporary fashions. -- AATA