Algues

1850 · rif. 193584 — Jersey: c. 1850. Botany of the beach An attractive and thoughtful compilation of pressed samples collected from the waters of Jersey each hand-lettered with its Latin binomial name. Seaweed collecting was along with other forms of scrapbooking a popular occupation for women during the Victorian era. Inextricably tied to religious and moral edification nature was at the centre of the Victorian domestic imagination. Amateur collectors were "drawn to the study of the natural world as a culturally approved form of recreation seen as aesthetically pleasing educational and morally beneficial since they lifted the mind to a new appreciation of God" Logan p. 144. Seaweed collecting also served as an avenue for the exploration of science particularly for those who were not expected to study it for its own sake but as a social accomplishment. Materials for a seaweed album could be purchased from most seaside resorts; Queen Victoria herself was known to take part in the hobby. Duodecimo 92 x 63 mm. Comprising 14 specimens mounted on white paper stock and affixed to concertina-bound pink paper stock unfolding to 88 mm each sample captioned in manuscript rear page stamped "Jersey Algae". Contemporary red blue and white chromolithographic boards purple cloth backstrip blue floral patterned paste downs blue silk ties. Lacking front tie rear tie starting but holding firm occasional spotting else in very good condition. Thad Logan The Victorian Parlour 2001. hardcover