Victorian Dried Seaweed Pressings, Isle of Wight, #4 (A Pair)

These two small seaweed pressings are among a handfulI purchased together, which I think are just exquisitely beautiful! A few of them are signed and dated at bottom, others initialed on back (the smaller of these two is initialed C.A.S), so they represent the work of a few different people, most likely young women, among whom seaweed collecting and pressing was quite the thing during the Victorian era. I love the fact that making these represented not just a burgeoning interest in the natural world, but also allowed greater freedom for women and girls--a reason, or even an excuse, to head out on their own toward the sea! And what could be better than a batch gathered on the Isle of Wight. 

Larger 4 1/4" x 3 1/2" on wove paper; smaller 2 7/8" x 3" on card.  Both in very good condition.