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Small Victorian book, “The Bouquet: containing the Poetry and Language of Flowers”, by A Lady. Published by Benjamin B. Mussey, Boston; 1845. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, by Oliver L. Perkins. In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. Stereotyped and printed by S. N. Dickinson & Co., Boston. Presented to Harriet L. Boris, this was a copy that Harriet carried through hill and dale, it has been used to look up flowers, probably squished together with some fresh picked wild flowers in a pocket. It is quite well loved and worn on the outside.
This is a treasure, each flower is listed with its symbolism and virtue, as well as lovely prose and poetry underneath each flower listed. The beginning:” Are not flowers the earliest gift of love?” The cover is green cloth, with a little gilt floral bouquet in the center, it is worn, as is to be expected for a “working” book that was no doubt traipsed around with in nature. There are gilt end pages, a full color floral illustration in the front. There is discoloration and foxing on the little pages, the very last page is partly missing. The owner pasted a calling card in the very back, perhaps a suitor? If you adore the romance of walking through nature a la Miss Potter, you will love this little book.
- Measures 4-1/2″ x 3″. 128pp.
