Gand: ca. 1840, 1850. A "porcelain" trade card for the greenhouse builders Van De Cappell-De Pretter, rue de la Caverne, No. 50, Gand. The printing in gold and blue is by the Gand lithographers, G. Jacqmain. The card is illustrated with a view of a greenhouse in a gardenesque setting with fountain, house and two small human figures, all printed within a decorative Gothic-style frame. A lengthy caption informs the viewer that examples of the firm's "confection de serres en Fer" can be seen at the Verschaffelt nursery, at Van Houte's outside of Bruxelles, and in Paris at "MM les Barons Rotschild." Cartes porcelaines or "porcelain cards" were produced in the mid-nineteenth century lithography with a thin layer of white lead producing their beautiful porcelain-like effect. They were chiefly produced in Belgium between the late 1830s and the early 1860s and used as business or announcement cards. Their production was discontinued because of health hazards connected with the lead. Single sheet of glossy card stock, 10.5 x 14.2 cm., printed in colors.

(Paris: chez Basset, rue St. Jacques, no. 64, ca, 1815). "Les Jeux d'Oie" have long been a venerable form of family entertainment, education and even propaganda. This particular version, the jeu instructif des fleurs, is pretty enough to be viewed as a game for young ladies (which it probably was), but John Grand-Carteret's LES JEUX D'OIE(http://www.giochidelloca.it/dettaglio_storia.php?id=41) lists it with the "Jeu d'actualites politiques." He notes that the winning position is the crowned Lis blanc, the symbol of virtue and, of course, "Gloire Aux Lis", a sentiment in favor during the French Restoration. But there is also botanical instruction here. Along the promenade or route of the game are 63 numbered "cases" or squares, each with a handsomely engraved flower portrait, many accompanied by captions citing the flower's emblematic meaning, or one of its physical properties. Thus: marigold, "emblème de la douleur"; jasmine, "originaire de la Province"; myrtle, "dédié a Venus par les anciens"; and finally, embowered and marked with sun's rays, the lily. The rules for traversing the promenade and reaching the lily are printed in the center of the text. For example, whoever arrives at no. 42, the violet, "a flower lost in the woods," must return to no. 30, lily of the valley, and pay a sum agreed on at the outset of the game. The shape of the course or promenade is oval, thus leaving space at the corners of the sheet for charming little views of the Jardin des Tuileries seen from the terraces of the chateau, the Jardin du Luxembourg seen from the water bassins, the Jardin du Roi seen from the river bank, and a view of the labyrinth of the Jardin du Roi. Though not found in the usual library catalogues, we do find reference to a copy in the Collection of Baron de Vinck at the Bibliothèque Nationale. "Gloire aux Lis" Single sheet, 45.5 x 61 cm., engraved overall, with text in center.

n.p: N.P, n.d. (ca. 1900?). A somewhat mysterious piece on art vellum having the appearance of a mailing or shipping label, but, surely being an elaborate mock-up for one or the other. “The design is signed in a monogram for “R H sc”. The sender’s address is “ Clos de la Garoupe/ Cap d’Antibes/ Alpes-Maritimes. “ in decorative black lettering. Opposite is the message:” Les Fleurs sont expédiées aussitôt qu’elles sont coupées.” Below this is an address space beginning with a decorative “M” and below, “Spécialité d’Anémones /et de la Fraises. This text is arranged in the upper diagonal space of the piece. In the lower diagonal is a splendid design of a young woman holding strawberries and surrounded by anemones. This illustration is enhanced in green, gray and rose. The Cap d’Antibes was a strong horticultural region in the 19th century. Clos de la Garoupe was once a farm ( or nursery?) before Antibes became the playground of the rich. Flowers from Cap d’Antibes. Impression 17 x 23.5 on sheet measuring 28 x 35 cm. With custom matting.