Bessie Parker (?-1961) - Superb 1890 Commonplace Album

Description

Bessie Parker (?-1961) - Superb Original 1890 commonplace album. A great find. Bessie Parker (?-1961) was English, but lived in France and Germany. She had an amazing circle of friends, relatives and acquaintances and compiled this wonderful album between 1890 and 1898. It is full of watercolours, drawings, photographs, inscriptions, memorabilia. There is a very fine watercolour signed by Claude Spero and several other drawings of considerable merit. In fine condition. I have counted 11 watercolours, 3 more pictures with watercolour and text, 27 drawings, 11 photographs, and 70 other items, mostly handwritten quotations or sentiments.

Size

Size: 18 x 13cm (7.1" x 5.1")

Collection Information

Sir Charles Albert Batho, 1st Bt. was born on 7 October 1872.1 He was the son of William Smith Batho.1 He married Bessie Parker (?-1961), daughter of Benjamin Parker, on 10 February 1897. He died on 29 January 1938 at age 65. He was a ships' store and export merchant. He held the office of Alderman of Aldgate, of the City of London. He was Lieutenant of the City of London.1 He was a director of the LNER. He held the office of Sheriff of the City of London between 1925 and 1926. He was invested as a Knight in 1926. He held the office of Lord Mayor of London between 1927 and 1928.1 He was decorated with the award of Order of Sirdar el Ali of Afghanistan in 1928. He was created 1st Baronet Batho, of Frinton, co. Essex [U.K.] on 19 October 1928.1 He was invested as a Companion, Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (C.St.J.). He was decorated with the award of Médaille du Roi Albert of Belgium. He became a Freeman of the City of Londonderry in 1937.