[ANONYMOUS] “Victorian Phycological Herbarium Album” [c.1853–1855] Seaweed

ANONYMOUS Victorian Phycological Herbarium Album

Contemporary brown cloth album, c.1853–1855. 13" x 10.25". Approximately 18 pages of mounted seaweed specimens, c.12 pages of loose unmounted algae preserved between the leaves, and 4 pages of mounted fern specimens with additional loose examples. Numerous specimens captioned in a neat contemporary hand, several dated (1853, 1855) and initialed by the collector(s).

A substantial mid-19th century phycological album compiled just years before On the Origin of Species, combining scientific study with the visual appeal that made Victorian seaweed collecting so popular. The collection includes finely branched red and brown algae, larger structural specimens, and a small group of delicate impression pieces in the manner of nature printing. Many of the loose specimens retain unusually vivid color—crimson, olive, amber, and deep brown—while preserving fine structural detail. One specimen is noted from the Gulf of Florida, suggesting exchange or multi-source collecting typical of the period. Binding lightly rubbed. Album appears complete with no removed leaves. Mounted specimens generally sound with minor expected fragility; loose specimens well preserved, with some rippling and darkening to adjacent leaves from the original drying process. Very Good.