N.d., ca. 1850]. · [American
by [Botanical Watercolors]
[American, N.d., ca. 1850].. Fifteen watercolors total, heightened with gum arabic, ranging in size from 2 x 2 inches to 7 x 6 inches. The illustrations are bordered either by lace or gilt and affixed to colored paper, or are done on a sheet with a lithographic border. Interleaved with blank colored pages, some of them with stamped or lithographic borders. Quarto. Original morocco album, elaborately stamped in blind and gilt, expertly rebacked in matching style, a.e.g. A bit of light rubbing to extremities of boards, corners worn. Internally clean, with the colors very bright. Near fine. In a half morocco and cloth slipcase and chemise. A lovely album of quite accomplished amateur watercolors depicting plants, flowers, fruit, and a bird. The style of the album binding is American, as are some of the tree leaves illustrated, but neither the album nor any of the illustrations are signed. It is evidently the work of a talented amateur, skilled in the use of watercolors. Each illustration has been carefully highlighted with gum arabic in order to heighten certain colors or shades. Among the images is a bouquet of autumnal oak leaves, a branch of plums, a group of cherries, a rose, pansies, and several other plants and flowers. One of the largest and most striking illustrations is of a bird perched upon a leafy branch with blue coloring on its head and back, brown feathers at the tips of its wings, and a white belly. A very appealing example of the mid-Victorian fashion for creating personal albums of artistic renderings of nature.
(Inventory #: WRCAM34256)