Album Amicorum (Friendship Album), illustrated manuscript

BOOK DESCRIPTION: souvenirs from friends INCLUDING CHARMING watercolors of allegorical scenes and romantic pastoral landscapes of the Polish countryside. In German, and French (one entry), illustrated manuscript on paper. Dimensions: 106 x 170 mm., 132 folios, complete, NINE WATERCOLORS, ONE GOUACHE PAINTING, ONE PEN AND INK DRAWING, ONE HAND-COLORED LITHOGRAPH, ONE COPPER ENGRAVING. ORIGINAL BINDING of mottled calf over pasteboards, covers gold tooled with a narrow foliage band forming a frame and small floral corner pieces, gilded initials on front cover "S.M.E.v.S.," leather somewhat rubbed but overall in good condition, contemporary slipcase of marbled paper, very worn. TEXT: The album amicorum, or album of friends, is a booklet in which young aristocrats collected entries made by their friends and relatives. Those produced by women offer insightful glimpses into women's social networking. Sophie's album, collecting 85 souvenirs from friends and family of eminent German aristocrats, displays especially fine illustrations, mainly watercolors of charming allegorical scenes and romantic pastoral landscapes, inspired by local views in the Polish countryside, where the family lived. PROVENANCE: Sophie Beate Maximiliane von Seydlitz (1772-1853), abbess of the Czerna (Tschirnau) convent in Silesia ; collection of Konrad Schlossberger (1926-2022), a member of the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Architects. CONDITION: some minor stains, ff. 49, 57, 88, 89 loose from the sewing, in overall excellent condition. (TM 1276)