HERBIER DU JOURNAL DES DEMOISELLES. Plantes De L'Été. Fleurs Des Moissons.
(Paris): Journal des Demoiselles, n.d. (ca, 1880s). Issued as a special publication of the JOURNAL DES DEMOISELLES, this portfolio contains 25 lithographed sheets for mounting of specific dried herbarium samples. A printed outline of the plant, for coloring, is printed on the sheet next to the area where the flower or plant was to be placed. Also incorporated into each of these sheets is a letterpress text which instructs the user in the pertinent language of flowers, botanical nomenclature, and plant lore. Separate instructions for preparing plants collected for the herbarium are included along with instructions for coloring the outline drawings. Additionally, there are five hand-colored plates provided as a model for coloring. Each of these depicts a grouping or bouquet of five different flowers from among those illustrated by the uncolored plates. A wonderful example of the type of botanical pastimes thought to be instructive and engaging for women in the late nineteenth century. Loose, as issued, in original printed portfolio; 2 pp. text on lightweight paper + 3 plates (title and preface) on card stock + 5 hand-colored + 25 black and white lithographed plates.
Original green cloth portfolio with title stamped in gold and a rose branch embossed in green, white and gold; recent ivory satin ties, one of which detached; plates excellent except for an occasional line of dust along top edge.
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