[Victorian Travel Book]

n.ed., Felixstowe, 1898

A nice Victorian travel book of twenty-four original watercolour drawings dated 1898–1902.

Description: Original beige cloth binding, titled on front cover Ilfracombe 1898, Scotland 1901 and Wales 1902. Bookbinder’s label on the front paste-down. Obl. octavo: 14 × 24 cm; pp. 24ll., [1 loosely inserted]. 24 watercolour drawings on Whatman’s handmade drawing paper.

Provenance: Owner’s name written in pencil on the front endpaper: G.E. Ruffles, Yooven Hill Cottage, Felixstowe, Suffolk.

Condition: Slight bow to front board, slightly soiled and showing some marks. Of the original 30 sheets of the sketchbook, 24 sheets with 23 drawings have been preserved. The loosely inserted watercolour drawing was painted on a different watercolour paper. The drawings, as well as the binding in very good condition.

Notes: This is a fine example of a travel journal from a period when people still recorded their impressions of their journeys by painting with brushes and watercolours. The watercolours by G.E. Ruffles of Felixstowe depict landscapes from various parts of Great Britain. The inscription on the reverse of the leaves states: Will Sobs home; Durham Vale & Church; Bell case Bagshot; Halford Mill; The Rocks Ilfracombe; Harbour Ilfracombe; [untitled, Ilfracombe]; Ilfracombe; May 1896 [Ilfracombe]; Loch Tay 12.6.1901; on Loch Tay 12.6.1901; Ben Lawers from Loch Tay 12.6.1901; Loch Earn 16.6.1901; Loch Katrine; Loch Lomond, & Ben Lomond; Beddgelert; Abergalslyn Pass [#1]; Abergalslyn Pass [#2]; [Cynieh]; Beddgelert & Gelert's Grave; Bridge Beddgelert; Name of Village mean Bangor.