Anonymous. Algae & Zoophytes: Loose-leaf manuscript containing algae and seaweed specimens. 1840-50s. A spectacular Victorian era loose-leaf manuscript of over 150 algae and seaweed specimens housed in a purpose-built book-shaped box. This collection was put together by by someone who was exceedingly careful and consumed with proper storage and mounting and display. Some of the sheets have tiny pinholes at top corners either for drying or exhibition (or both!).

Seaweed specimen collecting was a popular Victorian era hobby that was considered a safe and Romantic endeavour for women to participate in at a time when proper access to science education was denied to most. Many guides were published to instruct readers on how to mount their own specimens and articles in ladies’ magazines also promoted the activity. The activity was linked to a romanticisation of nature and was seen as a wholesome hobby for a domestic woman, when in fact, the activity depending on how seriously it was taken, could be considered a form of subversive gaining of scientific knowledge.

The collector of this particular seaweed and algae selection pursued several levels of taxonomic identification on the majority of specimens. In other words they took the science very seriously.

Box contains 52 folded sheets with edges tinted in bold crimson red, each with one specimen identified by its name and genus. Of this group, two are labelled with collection location of Point de Galles (perhaps Sri Lanka), nine specimens labelled with specific name, 15 specimens are labelled as Series 1 with their order: Melanosphermeae followed by their family and specific name. 23 specimens are labelled Series 2: Rhodospermeae (Red Seaweeds) followed by their family and specific name. And three are labelled as Series 3: Chlorosphermeae) followed by their family and specific name.

It also includes 46 single-sided sheets with 45 labelled specimens, 50 unlabelled specimens, and one creative seaweed collage, building a new seaweed arrangement out of three different seaweed varieties.

Several of the specimens have other details including location of collection, such as collected from “on the rocks”, and descriptions of the scarcity of a specimen such as “very rare.”

Specimens are mounted using the most minuscule cut paper slivers to hold down specimen to sheet with adhesive.

The best example we’ve come across. Unique.

Book-shaped box with rounded spine covered in green cloth and marbled paper edges, hinged flap at foreedge. 29 x 25 x 5 cm. Specimen pages in very good condition, paper slightly yellowed. Box in sturdy condition, with cracking at hinged panel, wear and rubbing to cloth and light staining. It is slightly too small for the specimens it contains. Bursting with seaweeds!