These are rare original Albumin prints published in the 1880's by A. Calavas Editeur, 68 Rue de Lafayette. Paris . They are architectural/Plaster designs taken from the time of 1600's reproduced from the originals preserved in the library of the Union Centrale des Arts Décoratifs. The Union of Decorative Arts is a French cultural institution bringing together museums, places of education and libraries around the art of living, decorative arts, design, fashion and textiles, advertising and graphic design.

They are designs by Pierre Jean Mariette, Francois de Poilly & Jacques Androuet Ducerceau - all some of the finest engravers and artists of the 17th century.

They are pasted on loose leaf sheets of card - each one has the publisher's stamp and address- Paris underneath the image. There are 15/Fifteen in total, all different, and numbered from '2' to '16' - they are majoritively in sepia but some in black and white. All the actual albumin prints are in good condition (none are marked), some of the card they are mounted on is fragile around the corners and edges and some have stain spots and discolouration- the card would benefit from being weighted and flattened. Each has hand written "livre 48".

I imagine they would be superb framed , with cut out mounts showing the publisher.

These are such a great snap shot of some of the finest architectural detail of the 17th century- many found in some of the finest historical buildings we treasure today- historically so interesting and rare to find as clearly card and paper does not stand the test of time well.

Size Card -13.75"/35cms x 10.25"/26cms- same throughout
Size albumin prints - varying sizes 
We ship from France and we are happy to ship Worldwide. We will of course happily combine items for you.