1828 Late Georgian Locked Book - Working Lock and Key

From 1828, here is a wonderfully preserved Late Georgian Full Leather Locked Book, with working lock and key. Filled with 20 original pencil/graphite/silverpoint sketches, engravings and a watercolour. Sketching was an essential skill for ladies at this time. These are of a high standard.

In the 1820s locked books were deeply personal, high-status objects. Locks kept curious servants, guests or other family members from snooping. The books when discovered have often lost their keys - unlike this one which has survived for all this time with key intact.

Black leather has ornate blind and gilt stamped decoration to the front, back and spine. With "ALBUM" to the front and "L.S.DENT" to the back. Some of the engravings are by other Dent members and there are some other names to research in here too. Ornate gilt dentelles to the turnovers. The paper is watermarked 1828. The majority of the works are landscapes, with a couple of portraits and one botanical colour watercolour. 

There is a knack to opening the lock, but once you get the hang of it, it opens easily. I have not had the opportunity to research LS Dent, so if you find out any more information I'd love to know. It will be great fun trying to track down these locations and any more provenance.

In very good condition. One page slightly loose, and one sketch needs re-mounting to the page. There are a number of blank pages at the end. Pages are gilt edged on all sides. 

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H 24.5 cm x 21 cm, 0.96 kg. I dispatch daily from the UK. 

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