THE LANDSCAPE ALPHABET

Art

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

MP.2010.8 a-bb

Description

a-b. Two-part rectangular cardboard case for set of alphabet cards: case separates at mid-point into equal halves each covered in brown embossed faux-leather paper; printed label on upper half: "THE/ LANDSCAPE ALPHABET/ OR/ INTRODUCTION/ TO/ BELLES LETTRES [?]"; label continued on lower half: "Drawn on stone/ &/ Published by Englemann, Graf, Comdet & Co./ LONDON & PARIS"; pencil notation on label [illegible]; two pink inner guide cards attached to b.; handwritten pencil notion: "Georgina [?] Wetmore/ from her friend/ Mr. [?] James Laveran [?]". c-bb. Set of twenty-six printed cards, each with embossed border, illustrating letters of the alphabet formed by natural and architectural elements, such as bent branches, trimmed topiaries, columns, arches and stone outcroppings.

Artwork Details

Medium

Paper, Ink, cardboard, Paper, ink, cardboard

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Engelmann, Graf, Comdet & Company

Date made

1830

Other Names and Numbers

Other Names

Name Type

Other Title

Other Name

Introduction to Belles Lettres [?]

Other Numbers

MP.2010.8

MP.2010.8 a-aa

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Cards

Height

4-1/2 in

Width

3 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 4 1/2 x 3 in. (11.4 x 7.6 cm)

Dimension Description

Case

Height

4-3/4 in

Width

3-1/4 in

Depth

11/16 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 4 3/4 x 3 1/4 x 11/16 in. (12.1 x 8.3 x 1.7 cm)

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Case very worn, especially at edges and corners; label worn away in middle of top section; cards scattered stains; some creased or missing embossed edges

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

Accessioned 2010, acquired earlier [Jessa J. Krick, 6/18/2010] Date of object determined by this mention in the August 21, 1830 edition of The London Literary Gazette and Journal of the Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences & Co (London: Literary Gazette Office): "The Landscape Alphabet [printed by] Englemann & Co. A childish idea, very poorly executed." (p. 548) [Jessa J. Krick, 6/21/2010]

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Union Church, Storage, Shelf 14A

Note Type

Department

Note

Curatorial