Photographs with Illuminated Borders.

Hardcover. Velvet. Very Good. N.d, circa 1900. Folio, 41.5 by 32.5 cm. Nine leaves of heavy card, each with brilliant illumination and original artwork (some pencil and ink), all framing rather flat pietistic-themed photos of artwork. Happily the original contribution of the amateur illuminator Ada Samoda dominates the page. The illumination is more or less standard in its subject matter -- a Gothic window frame, intertwined vines, etc. -- but is a fine example of Victorian era amateur illumination, with rich reds, blues, greens in addition to gilt, and meticulous actualization of foliate patterns of an impressive variety. Also worked in are expressions written in elaborate calligraphy, all of which is faithful to the pre-printing press tradition. Interest in things Medieval began in the 18th Century and flourished throughout the nineteenth century. In the arts, much of this interest expressed itself in the movement known as Gothic Revival, and interest in illuminated manuscripts and their decorative vocabulary was very much a part of the movement. During the same period, as the ranks of the affluent swelled, many more people had leisure time ont their hands to pursue hobbies such as the arts. Both men and women, and especially young women, devoted energy and passion to creating albums of artwork of a wide variety. Thus was the cultivation of illumination really a confluence of these two larger phenomena. Handsome purple velvet binding, with brass edges and a brass monogram mounted onto the front cover. One brass edge needs new brads and is thus loose. The spine velvet is worn thin and perished in places.