Two Greek Froebel albums

(Greece), c. 1900. Hardcover. Very good. Two 16mo vols. Larger volume 20ff; smaller volume 12ff, accordionfold. The first volume demonstrates a keen aptitude for paper cutting, with a particular focus on designs in negative space. Especially unusual for this genre of educational albums is the application of geometrical forms as tags to lower outer corners, which correspond to the larger cut design. It is entirely plausible that the tags were provided by the instructor as the core shape, leaving it up to the student to arrange it into a larger pattern. The smaller volume shows various forms of paper weaving, with twenty-four total examples. Here, too, the student explores the possibilities of negative space, with the added complexity of directionality of the paper. The Froebel method emphasized abstraction and creativity in hand crafts, and the program based itself on progressive challenges to dexterity and creativity. The method is generally associated with Western Europe and the United States; these are rare examples of its eastern reach. Albums bound in black cloth embossed in blind and with titling in blind and gilt. General exterior soiling and rubs to corners, but interiors quite bright and first volume retains tissue guards. Very good. Bookseller tags to pastedowns.