19th Century Herbarium Album Containing Original Seaweed Specimens by [none]

[no place]: [no publisher]. Near Fine. [19th Century]. 9.5" x 11.5 Black leather album ornately decorated in blind and stamped in gilt, with beautiful endsheets and all page edges gilt, containing 94 specimens of dried seaweed of various sizes, neatly labeled, mounted on specimen paper and album, with uniform line borders drawn. Light rubbing to binding, internally clean, with offsetting from specimen to adjacent blanks, several specimens toward rear missing and several unused blank sheets remain at rear. A fantastic collection, wonderfully executed. Collecting and drying seaweed became a popular pastime in the Victorian era, especially among younger women, as it allowed them a greater sense of freedom and an outlet to display their understanding of the natural world.