Victorian Photo Album Worn Gold Fabric with Silver-Color Fittings and Clasp

Fantastic antique photo album from the Victorian era, ca. 1880s.  It has damage (see condition description and measurements below), but all the pages are present and the adjustable clasp is intact–it’s rare to find the clasps still attached and in great condition.  “Album” is spelled on the front cover in a silver-color metal.  The album is covered in what was originally a gold-color patterned velvet fabric.  The inside cover page has a metallic gold design featuring unicorns, flowers, an eagle, and a Greek key border top and bottom.  There are 17 heavy cardboard two-sided interior pages with a single photo window on each side; all the pages are gold edged on three sides; they are black and embellished with non-metallic silver illustrations of fairies and sprites, flowers, and woodland creatures and vegetation (mushrooms, snails, spiders, cattails, water lilies, even a bat).  The photo windows are rectangular with a domed upper edge and would have accommodated 5 x 7 cabinet photo cards.  There are only two photos in the album and they date from around the 1940s and 1950s.  Printed on the bottom of each page are the words “Pat. Appl’d for 1887.”  The outside of the back cover has four metal feet which have actually served their purpose in preventing the fabric texture from completely wearing away.   This piece is either strictly for decor purposes, or for someone with the inclination and skills to do so, to repair and refurbish the damaged pages.   See condition description below.

MEASUREMENTS: 11″ x 9″ x 3″ — weight before packing: 5 lbs.

CONDITION:  The album is complete but shows lots of wear consistent with 135 years of age and frequent handling.  The fabric on the covers is worn and stained.  The bottom right corner of the front cover is torn along the edge.  All but the inside front cover and first page have broken off from their paper bindings; the corresponding “hinge” for each page is still firmly attached to the spine; with some patience, the pages could be reattached.  The photo windows originally had a paper spacer separating the photos inserted on each side and a clear cellophane-type covering.  Many of these are missing.  Seven of the 17 pages have lots of damage around the photo windows.  With patience, they could be, if not repaired, recreated by adding fresh black paper and your own illustrations.  Feel free to ask questions before purchasing and/or request additional photos.

SHIPPING: $9.99 flat rate shipping valid only for street addresses within contiguous United States; we cannot deliver to post office boxes.  For shipping to Alaska, Hawaii and elsewhere, please contact us with your location for a custom shipping quote.

A WORD ABOUT VINTAGE: Our inventory consists of vintage or antique items which are more than 20 years old, usually used or pre-owned, unless marked “new old stock.”  As such, there may be signs of wear and age, which we will disclose to the best of our ability.  Nevertheless, we encourage you to carefully read the description and view the photos, especially when purchasing a gift.  All items ship with tracking and insurance, and although we do not accept returns, we will offer a refund in case of breakage or damage during transit, upon receipt of sufficient proof. 

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