Background
The Kate Williams Album is a magnificently hand-decorated album containing stock commercial albumen photographic prints of classic European architecture, cityscapes, and art works. During Victorian times, well-to-do Americans often took a “grand tour,” of European cultural capitals, purchasing commercially available photographs as mementoes of their travels. In memory of these travels, Victorians often mounted these commercial images in albums for later enjoyment.
This highly personalized album by artist Kate Williams exemplifies the apex of 19th century photo album decorative arts. Each stock photograph is mounted and elaborately outlined in a harmonious fashion that adds liveliness and color to the somewhat generic images. This gem of Victorian photo albums came to the Library of Congress as the result of a happy accident.
Kate Williams, a 19th century New York artist, attempted to mail her album to a friend or relation just before her death. Unfortunately, Ms. Williams wrote the wrong address on the package. The misaddressed album remained in the US Post Office Dead Letters Office for decades before being transferred to the Library of Congress. When assessed by LC Book and Photo Conservators, it was clear that the book needed significant treatment work if it was to survive being handled by researchers.
Left: The original binding materials were cracking and falling apart. Right: The above albumen photograph of Rome framed by Kate Williams’ unique artistry is typical of the dozens of prints found in the album.
