[MAP OF MATRIMONY; AUSTRALIAN NATIVE BIRDS] A late Georgian-era album amicorum belonging to a London lady, with original drawings and poetry dating from 1832 to 1860.

A$750 · Offered by Douglas Stewart Fine Books

Quarto (245 x 200 mm), original luxurious binding of full leather elaborately embossed, both boards featuring a central cartouche with a depiction of the Roman goddess Luna in her chariot and holding torch, the spine with the word ALBUM in gilt at the head; gilt dentelles, all edges gilt, original endpapers; pictorial title leaf engraved in gold and with the owner s name, address and date calligraphically written by her friend T. Heming as Catharine Robinson, Little Britain, London, Sept. 1st 1832 ; the album contains many pencil drawings of a consistently competent standard, among them an Australian kookaburra and magpie (these are the last two entries in the album and are unsigned), as well as a whimsical Map of Matrimony , beautifully executed in pen-and-ink and watercolour, signed L. Johnson , and much original and non-original poetry in manuscript, mostly signed or initialed, with numerous examples of fine penmanship; in total approx. 40 leaves; occasional spotting, otherwise extremely well preserved. A most appealing Victorian friendship book. Its owner, Catharine Robinson, was living in Little Britain a famous street in the City of London when she commenced the album in 1832. Judging by its expensive binding and the calibre of its content, it is evident that Catharine moved in a well-to-do and well-educated circle of friends.

• Binding: Hardcover

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