Fiftieth Anniversary Austrian Allina Vocational School Presentation Album, 1898
Item Details
Catalog Notes:Presentation album celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Handelsschule Allina in Vienna, Austria. Given by the students to the director, possibly Max Allina. Metal, enamel, leather, paperboard, albumen photographs, silk, pen and ink calligraphy, watercolor and gouache with gilt.
Title: Monumental Viennese Parcel-Gilt and Enamel Presentation Album for the Handelsschule Allina (1898)
Item Type:Historical Presentation Album / Illuminated Manuscript with Photographs
Age: Dated 1898 (Commemorating the Jubilee period 1848–1898)
Maker / Binder: A. Günther, Vienna (Stamped ‘A. GÜNTHER WIEN’ on interior silk doublure)
Description:
A large-format jubilee presentation album preserved in its original custom-fitted wooden presentation case with a glazed lid. The binding is executed in full brown Morocco leather, heavily embellished with elaborate historicist-style gilt-metal mounts featuring scrolling strapwork and stylized foliage, accented by polychrome champlevé enamel in shades of turquoise, red, and white. The central medallion displays the interlaced monogram ‘MA’ (referencing Director Max Allina) on a white enamel ground, flanked by cartouches bearing the dates ‘1848’ and ‘1898’.
The interior features green moire silk doublures and flyleaves, enclosing an illuminated dedication page with hand-painted watercolor borders depicting roses, an owl (symbolizing wisdom), and a caduceus (symbolizing commerce). The album contains a series of mounted albumen photographs documenting the faculty and student body of the Handelsschule Allina (Allina Commercial School), organized by year and section, with calligraphic captions identifying professors and students.
Condition
- presentation box: loose glass; scratches, dents, and wear to wood; area of missing varnish; residue; worn silk with pulls, holes and frayed fabric; accretions; abrasions from metal decoration of the album.
- album: residue on metal decoration; oxidized metal; missing enamel; detached metal and enamel verso decoration; loose decoration; abraded and deteriorating leather; scratches and edge wear; toning to paper, accretions, staining, slight foxing; residue from handling; rubbing of ink on proceeding pages.
Dimensions
- measures box; closed album measures 22"W x 16"H x 2.25"D.
- This item may be especially difficult to move and/or transport. The winner is responsible for bringing appropriate assistance, vehicle, proper materials, and any necessary tools to pickup. International shipping may be restricted.
- Please note: If the winning bidder selects the warehouse transfer option, the item will be available for pickup at the selected warehouse three business days after payment has been finalized.
Item #
ITMGS61877
