France, unpublished, ca. 1880-1900. Folio (39.0 x 28.0 cm). 151 cards, each with one to four individual pencil or ink designs, mounted on 52 stiff paper leaves. Dark green limp cloth. Spine with blind-stamped rectangular compartments, central floral vignettes and title; front board with gilt and black ornamental border, rear board with large, black intricate, oriental vignette.

A beautiful, varied, and inspirational album with original drawings of walking stick handles. All designs are carefully drawn in pencil and ink; several are partly coloured. The numerous designs are in various art styles. Many are floral and ornamental, following the baroque Louis XV style, others seem to be influenced by tribal art, some are geometrical; still others show elements reminiscent of an early Jugendstil or Art Nouveau style; and there are even some naturalistic and neogothic designs. Individual drawings are on usually white (a few blue) sheets of paper, on average some 13.5 x 8.5 cm, and mounted single, in pairs (most often), or quartets on 52 sheets. Several cards contain annotations in light pencil in an old hand. Invariably these are in French, strongly suggesting a French origin. Of several handles and knobs the height is given in centimetres. In all a quite varied and intriguing ensemble, in good condition. Spine ends a bit frayed; the drawings with signs of handling, and annotated with catalogue numbers; in the rear several mounts left blank; the mounts toned towards the edges, with a bit of marginal wear, but not more than one might expect from a utility art portfolio.