PBA Galleries

Two examples. (4to) 2 examples, sheets in original folding cardstock cases with interlocking tabs and paper labels. The 1833 sheets are lacking the text, consisting only of 43 numbered plates, sewing present but disbound; the 1834 contains the text pages (title page plus 2 signatures, pp. [2]. 1-15, [1], “bound” at the left edge with a pasted-on backstrip) in addition to the plates and a final leaf of text (adverts), all of which are sewn at the left edge with a simple (i.e., temporary) double-loop stitch.

Two good examples of the use of such cases for the protection — and marketing — of unbound text and illustrations for a book. The 1833 sheets are of much poorer quality paper, and the folding case (brown and green paper, much rubbed) is titled in German only; the 1834 sheets are substantially weightier, larger, and whiter, and although the title page is in German, the paper label on the case (blue and red paper, rubbed and worn at the edges) is in English, indicating that the later edition was intended for an upscale market, or for export.