This early Victorian French notebook was made as a luxury souvenir piece rather than a standard writing pad. The covers are veneered in mother-of-pearl, engraved with decorative motifs and centred with the inscription “Souvenir.” The panels are framed in gilt bronze mounts worked with foliate and scroll decoration.
The notebook retains its original gilt pencil, which also functions as a clasp when slid into the spine. The interior contains original 19th-century pages, with both handwritten notes and printed vignettes, offering insight into its early use. An internal stationer’s label reads: “Mlles Hugand, À la Varieté, Palais Royal, No. 37, Paris” with the date 1836 inscribed.
Size: 8.8 × 6.3 × 1.3 cm
Weight: 100 g
Antique French notebook, dated 1836
Mother-of-pearl covers engraved with decoration
Gilt bronze mounts with foliate motifs
Inscribed “Souvenir” on the front cover
Original gilt pencil clasp
Stationer’s label: Mlles Hugand, Palais Royal, Paris
A collectible example of early Victorian Parisian luxury
These souvenir notebooks were fashionable luxury goods in early 19th-century Paris, particularly from the prestigious Palais Royal workshops. Combining mother-of-pearl veneer, gilt bronze mounts, and fine bookbinding, they were often purchased as keepsakes or given as gifts. Examples surviving in complete condition with pencil and original pages are scarce.
Very good antique condition. Mother-of-pearl remains iridescent, the gilding is well preserved, and the original pages survive with some expected age-related toning.
This early Victorian French notebook was made as a luxury souvenir piece rather than a standard writing pad. The covers are veneered in mother-of-pearl, engraved with decorative motifs and centred with the inscription “Souvenir.” The panels are framed in gilt bronze mounts worked with foliate and scroll decoration.
The notebook retains its original gilt pencil, which also functions as a clasp when slid into the spine. The interior contains original 19th-century pages, with both handwritten notes and printed vignettes, offering insight into its early use. An internal stationer’s label reads: “Mlles Hugand, À la Varieté, Palais Royal, No. 37, Paris” with the date 1836 inscribed.
Size: 8.8 × 6.3 × 1.3 cm
Weight: 100 g
Antique French notebook, dated 1836
Mother-of-pearl covers engraved with decoration
Gilt bronze mounts with foliate motifs
Inscribed “Souvenir” on the front cover
Original gilt pencil clasp
Stationer’s label: Mlles Hugand, Palais Royal, Paris
A collectible example of early Victorian Parisian luxury
These souvenir notebooks were fashionable luxury goods in early 19th-century Paris, particularly from the prestigious Palais Royal workshops. Combining mother-of-pearl veneer, gilt bronze mounts, and fine bookbinding, they were often purchased as keepsakes or given as gifts. Examples surviving in complete condition with pencil and original pages are scarce.
Very good antique condition. Mother-of-pearl remains iridescent, the gilding is well preserved, and the original pages survive with some expected age-related toning.
