• Floral Bells 6
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"
Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"

Presentation Copy of Clarissa Munger Badger's "Floral Belles"

[Floral Belles]

Madison Historical Society
circa 1865 (Date manufactured/created)
Paper

THE PRESENTATION COPY of "FLORAL BELLES", inscribed from the artist, Clarissa Munger Badger, to Catherine A. Wilcox Nash c.1865. Donated by Grace B. Hull to the Madison Historical Society in 1970. This appears to be a proof copy of the first (and only) edition of one of the 19th century's most beautifully produced illustrated botanical works, and contains 14 of the ultimately 16 lithographic plates. Here, each has been painstakingly hand colored in watercolor and gouache by the artist; this copy is particularly precious due to its final leaf, which contains original poetry by Clarissa Munger Badger titled "To the Rose of Gethsemane".

The finished work would be published in New York by Charles Scribner & Company in 1867 as "Floral Belles from the Green-House and Garden Painted from Nature", with 16 floral plates and accompanying poetry by Badger herself, Hemans, Longfellow, and others. Learn more about Clarissa, and her connection to Emily Dickinson, at madisonhistory.org/key-figures/clarissa-munger-badger/.

Physical description:

Large folio (435 x 332 mm), 14 lithographic plates plus one blank leaf, bound in original gilt-stamped Turkey morocco, spine in six compartments with title of work in second compartment from the head, title to upper board, gilt motifs to both boards, inner dentelles, all edges gilt. Contemporary presentation inscription from the artist to Catherine A. Wilcox Nash to front free endpaper recto. Original poem by the artist transcribed in contemporary ink to final leaf recto and verso titled "To the Rose of Gethsemane". 

 
2007.19