Watercolor album of Australian Flowers.
c. 1900. Hardcover. A charming album by a talented amateur artist. The flora appear to be all Australian and include Sturt Desert Pea, Grevillea, Geraldton Wax, Everlastings, Spider orchids, Wattle, Boronia & Red Gum, amongst others. The two landscapes are painted in the manner of postcards juxtaposed on the page with Australian flora, and decorated around the edge. One view is of a shoreline, with a boat, shed and fence, the other of a church, dirt roads and fencing, but not readily identifiable.
Oblong lge 8vo, 10.25 x 7.5", dark green embossed covers with the gilt initials "L.R." stamped on front. There are 22 watercolor flowers, 2 views & 1 butterfly on 66 pages; the last half of the album is largely blank. The thick art paper pages are of a variety of colors. Paper color varies between cream, tan, pale green & blue-gray. The paintings themselves are very delicate with some in a slightly less finished state. End papers tanned but the paintings are in very good condition. Little rubbed at extremities, otherwise bright and clean. Very good overall. Item #23238
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