DECORATED PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM, c.1882

Important Australian + International Fine Art
Melbourne
24 April 2013
3

ELLIS ROWAN

(1848 - 1922)
DECORATED PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM, c.1882

containing 40 watercolour illustrations

39.5 x 31.5 x 11.5 cm (book); 42.5 x 35.0 x 13.0 cm (case)

the text block comprising 20 double-sided pages, each, watercolour on card with opening for photograph, with wood front and back covers, metal cornerplates, bosses and clasp, leather spine cover with raised bands, blue silk endpapers, and gilt edges, the front cover with metal and enamel monogram, presented in leather-covered case with metal hinges and lock, monogram embossed on the lid
signed, dated and inscribed on front free endpaper: To / Dearest Ada with / best love from / Fred and Ellis Rowan / FebĀ 23rd 1883
monogram on front cover and case lid: AMS

Estimate: 
$20,000 - 40,000
Sold for $88,800 (inc. BP) in Auction 29 - 24 April 2013, Melbourne
Provenance

Gift from the artist to her sister Ada Mary Scott, 1883
Thence by descent
The Estate of The Lady Casey, Melbourne

Catalogue text

This album was a wedding gift from Ellis Rowan to her sister Ada Mary Ryan, who married Admiral Lord Charles Thomas Montagu Douglas Scott, son of the 5th Duke of Buccleuch, on 23 February 1883.1

Ellis Rowan's and Ada Mary Scott's brother was Sir Charles Snodgrass Ryan, father of Ethel Marian Sumner (Maie) Ryan, later The Lady Casey.

1. Cracroft's Peerage, The Complete Guide to the British Peerage and Baronetage,