Victorian Friendship Book with Paintings, Sketches, Poems c.1897

A wonderful example of a Victorian friendship book, in which friends and family would contribute pages over a period of many years to the owner, conveying love, encouragement and admiration through writing, sketches, paintings, images etc. Please note that only 25 pages have been filled, with the majority of the book remaining blank. This example belonged to Mary Gertrude Mortimer and is dated from 1897. Containing a range of drawings, watercolours, botanical prints and manuscript poems and notes from various authors, presumably close friends of Mary, each one signed and dated. An interesting inclusion is a cutout, handmade lift the flap page titled 'Contents of a Lady s Dressing Case' , with each flap revealing a hidden meaning underneath. ‘To Mary, I often think of the days of yore, when we were girls together. Of the hard lessons we pour'd o'er, and wandered o'er the heather. The friendship which began in truth prompts me to wish thee well, and tell thee from a heart of truth, starry love doth therein dwell, From Kate' Late Victorian / Early Edwardian Sketchbook, c.1897. 25pp illustrated and manuscript pages, the rest blank. Original soft leather covers with gilt title to front, wear to covers and tears to head and tail of spine, which also has a small tear and hole in the centre, gilt page edges, some peeling between cover and boards, spine is cracking and has been repaired at some point with glue, text block shaken, light foxing present throughout, some pages remain empty, a delicate but well loved, unique and touching piece of social history. Good overall.#victoriana#friendshipbook#ephemera#scrapbook#victorian#manuscript#antique#handmade#socialhistory#ethereal#unique#edwardian#historical#botanical#painting#poems#letters