SCRAPBOOK (Victorian Cuttings)

Miss Mitford; Bernardin de St. Pierre [1737 - 1814] A. Jenner; Charles Heath

(Book #ID 87088)

circa 1833. 1833

11½'' x 9¼'' Scrapbook with spine cracked and broken, the leaves are not loose or detached from the book. Hand coloured plate titled 'Fraisier' (wild strawberry pot) de Bernardin de St. Pierre, Papillons et Insectes d'Europe. The story around this plate has been narrated in various French Scientific and Literary classics, eg Oeuvres Completes de Bernardin de St. Pierre, under Etude Premiere Immensite de la Nature - page 3, second half - page 5 - and includes his related ref. to discovery of micro(be)-life by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek and Robert Hooke (both mis-spelled) at top of page 5. Hand coloured plate titled Auricula de la Belgique / The Auricula of Belgium with No. 18 underneath. Beautiful arc of auriculas around the lady's head. Just an afterthought - if published at the same time - early 1830's, the origins might have been somewhat obscured eg. printed 'clandestinely' in France, who co-conspired with the Belgians to regain their 'freedom' - due to the Dutch rule / occupation of Belgium till 1831, as part of the redrawing of Europe after Napoleon. The Dutch wanted to suffocate the Belgian Book / Journal/ Educational printing press by imposing massive stamp duties, so they would have to buy from rich, mainly Amsterdam publishers. This was just one of many grievances, which led to the Belgian Revolution against the Dutch. A horrible, shameful 5 years of Dutch history - led by the then King William I and his acolytes. He was proud, and callous as he was dim. Monochrome plate SIGNED and dated A. Jenner, 1831, was done as a personalised engraving by the famous C. Heath (of Charles and William Heath Brothers). Later C. Heath generation became founders of Lloyds of London insurers. And much, much more. Heavy volume. Member of the P.B.F.A.

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