Antique 1890 C. Klein Anemones Rubies from Byron Original Victorian Book Leaf Framed

Rare Antique c. 1890 Catharina Klein “Anemones” — Original Illustrated Leaf from Rubies from Byron Beautiful and highly decorative original late-Victorian color chromolithograph by Catharina Antonie Klein (1861–1929), taken from the circa-1890 gift book Rubies from Byron, published by De Wolfe, Fiske & Co., Boston. This is not a modern reproduction. It is an original approximately 5” x 7” illustrated leaf from the period publication itself. The front features Klein’s beautifully rendered anemone composition, complete with the printed “C. Klein” signature. Importantly, this exact anemone arrangement is documented as the floral illustration paired with Lord Byron’s “The Dying Gladiator” in the original Rubies from Byron publication. The reverse of this surviving leaf retains the original letterpress text of “The Dying Gladiator,” making the connection between the artwork and the literary source immediately apparent. Catharina Klein was a German floral artist whose highly detailed flower paintings became enormously popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her work was reproduced in books, postcards and other decorative publications, but surviving original leaves from these Victorian gift books are increasingly difficult to find. The leaf has been preserved and attractively displayed in an aged gilt wood frame with period-style matting, turning what was originally a small book illustration into a charming piece of Victorian decorative art. Details: * Artist: Catharina Antonie Klein (1861–1929) * Artwork: Anemones * Publication: Rubies from Byron * Publisher: De Wolfe, Fiske & Co., Boston * Date: circa 1890 * Medium: Original period color chromolithographic printing * Leaf size: approximately 5” x 7” * Front: Klein’s Anemones * Reverse: Lord Byron, The Dying Gladiator * Signature: Printed “C. Klein” * Frame: Aged gilt wood with antique matting Condition: Very good antique condition overall, with age-related toning and minor imperfections to the paper consistent with an approximately 135-year-old printed leaf. The antique frame and mat exhibit appropriate age, wear and patina. Please review all photographs carefully. Why this is particularly collectible What makes this example especially interesting is that the artwork and Byron text have remained together on the original two-sided leaf. The anemones aren’t simply a random Klein illustration that happened to be removed from the book—the specific floral composition was intentionally associated with The Dying Gladiator in the original publication. That gives the piece a very nice story for a collector: Victorian poetry + original period chromolithography + Catharina Klein + anemone symbolism + original book leaf + antique framing.

Condition

Used (normal wear)