Elizabeth Jane Wright Miniature Manuscript Album 1832-1837 Original Art
 
Bibliographic Details
Title: Miniature Manuscript Album, inscribed Elizabeth Jane Wright, 1832-1837
Creator/Compiler: Elizabeth Jane Wright, as identified by the opening inscription
Date: 1832-1837, based on dated inscriptions and artwork
Edition: Unique manuscript item
Illustrations: Seven identified full-page original drawings and watercolours
Binding: Contemporary full black leather, blind-stamped and gilt
Lettering: “ALBUM” gilt to the upper board
Edges: All Edges Gilt
Dust Jacket: None, as issued
Dimensions: Approximately 9 × 7 × 1.1 cm
Weight: Approximately 54g
A unique miniature manuscript album, apparently begun by Elizabeth Jane Wright in November 1832 and developed over several years. It combines handwritten verse and literary extracts with original pencil drawings and delicate watercolour paintings, all preserved within an attractive contemporary leather binding.
The opening inscription reads “Elizabeth Jane Wright November – 1832 –”, while further dated material extends through 1835, 1836 and 1837.
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
This album belongs to the tradition of early nineteenth-century personal and commonplace albums, in which poetry, literary extracts, religious reflections, drawings and personal inscriptions were brought together in privately kept volumes.
Unlike a printed book, it has no publisher, printer or conventional edition statement. Its significance lies in its individuality and in the glimpse it provides into the literary, artistic and devotional interests of its compiler and her circle during the 1830s.
The manuscript material includes verses and extracts concerning friendship, parting, devotion, family, prayer, flowers and the passage of time. One identifiable piece is headed “On a Watch” and corresponds to the well-known verses attributed to John Byrom, concerning the measurement of time and the ordering of one's life.
 
About the Creator
Elizabeth Jane Wright is identified by the opening inscription, although her wider identity and biography have not yet been securely established. The album itself therefore provides an intimate surviving record of her interests and activities.
A botanical watercolour is inscribed “E. Wright” and dated June 1835, very likely referring to Elizabeth. Another drawing bears the surname “Wright” and is dated January 1835.
 
Original Artwork & Contents
The album contains seven identified full-page original drawings and watercolours:
A pencil portrait of a fashionable woman in 1830s dress, signed “W.B.” and dated 1835.
A watercolour of a Meadow Butterfly on a branch, inscribed “The Meadow Butterfly”.
A watercolour of a rose with foliage.
A botanical watercolour inscribed “E. Wright”, dated June 1835.
A watercolour landscape depicting a bridge amid hills and trees, dated “1 Nov 37.”
A pencil sketch identified as “Goodrich Castle Herefordshire”.
A pencil drawing of a stone building or tower among grass and trees, inscribed “Wright” and dated January 1835.
The sitter in the signed “W.B.” portrait cannot be identified with certainty and may represent Elizabeth Jane Wright or someone known to her.
The handwritten material includes an introductory verse beginning “A plain and simple album, nothing more”, a further entry dated 15 April 1836, devotional writing headed “A mother teaching her child to pray”, and other literary and reflective passages. Some pages remain blank or partially completed.
 
Binding & Exterior Description
Contemporary full black leather over small boards, elaborately decorated with blind-stamped botanical ornament and gilt-tooled borders. The upper board bears “ALBUM” in gilt, while the spine has gilt panels and decorative tooling.
The book retains its All Edges Gilt.
The binding remains intact overall, with splits and losses at the head of the spine, patches of rubbing to the spine and edges, and some light marks consistent with age.
 
Interior Condition
The paper is lightly age-toned with occasional very small creases and minor marks. There are only occasional very small edge tears, none affecting the writing or artwork.
There are some cracks in the gutters between a few leaves, but the album remains secure overall. The pages are bright and generally clean, with the manuscript material and artwork well preserved.
 
Physical Details & Completeness
Approximately 9 × 7 × 1.1 cm and 54 grams.
The leaves are unnumbered. All pages are present. Blank and partially completed pages form part of the surviving state of the album and are not treated as missing pages.
 
Provenance
The album contains strong internal evidence of its early ownership and association, beginning with the inscription:
“Elizabeth Jane Wright November – 1832 –”
Further dated inscriptions and artwork from 1835-1837, including the “E. Wright” and “Wright” inscriptions, reinforce its association with Elizabeth Jane Wright and her family or household.
No later ownership history has been established, so this should be understood as internal provenance rather than a documented chain of ownership.
 
Rarity & Collector Notes
Rarity: Very Rare
This is a unique, individually created manuscript object rather than a commercially published book, meaning that no identical copy can exist.
Its appeal lies in the combination of its very small format, early 1830s date, named association with Elizabeth Jane Wright, original watercolours and pencil drawings, handwritten literary and devotional material, dated entries and unusually attractive contemporary decorated leather binding.
The inclusion of a view of Goodrich Castle, Herefordshire, original botanical subjects and a signed portrait adds further interest for collectors of manuscript albums, women's history, social history, miniature books, original drawings and watercolours.
 
Collector Summary
A charming and genuinely unusual miniature manuscript album dating from 1832-1837, associated with Elizabeth Jane Wright and containing original nineteenth-century watercolours, pencil drawings, handwritten verse and devotional material.
At approximately 9 × 7 cm, its diminutive size makes it particularly appealing as an object, while the dated inscriptions and original artwork provide a tangible connection with literary and artistic life in the 1830s.
A unique handmade record of individual literary and artistic activity, preserved in an ornate contemporary leather binding.