Yale Center for British Art

Title:
Ocean gems.
Published / Created:
England, circa 1850.
Physical Description:
1 volume (37 leaves) : 38 seaweed specimens ; 26 cm
Holdings:
Rare Books and Manuscripts
SH390.5.G7 O24+ Oversize
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund

Copyright Status:
Copyright Not Evaluated
Classification:
Archives & Manuscripts
Notes:
Bound in contemporary half calf and brown cloth. Title stamped in gold on front cover. Stationer's label on front pastedown: Sold by Creamer, Lynde Place, Salem [Massachusetts].

Album of pressed seaweed specimens, neatly affixed on sheets that have been mounted to leaves of the album (with two loose sheets at the end). A number of the specimens are arranged in a decorative circular layout. Specimens are not accompanied by identifying information.

The leaf bearing the first seaweed specimen is annotated in manuscript: "For the orphans" (at center) and "Sold for Muller's Orphan House near Bristol" (lower right corner). The album was presumably compiled and sold as a fund raiser for George Mùˆller's New Orphan Houses at Ashley Down, near Bristol, the first of which was built in 1849.
Subject Terms:
New Orphan Houses (Charity) | Orphanages -- England -- Bristol. | Pressed flower pictures. | Botanical specimens -- Collection and preservation -- Great Britain. | Botanical specimens -- Great Britain. | Marine algae -- Great Britain.
Form/Genre:
Herbaria. | Albums (books) | Botanical illustrations.