Consists of newspaper clippings, original drawings, advertising, engravings, manuscript notes, wallpaper samples, poems, and other items, primarily from London and dating between 1847 and 1852, providing a broad perspective of mid-Victorian England. Clippings relate to English royalty, English politics with cartoons of various events, buildings (showing both interior and exterior views), current patterns of dress (with a few fashion plates and paper dolls), Biblical and religious matters, and a large body of material pertaining to the Great Exhibition. Articles depicting and describing new inventions featured at the exhibition are present. Some newspaper articles, advice columns, and poetry was hand copied into the volume. A pinned in note claims that the manuscript poems in the volume were composed and written by the late Rev'd. F. Grindon, nephew of Lady Austin, the friend and patroness of Cowper, the poet. Several of the wallpaper samples exhibit oriental influences. Also included are a few sketches with floral patterns that resemble 19th century whitework decorative designs. Extracts from 1905 periodicals with stories of the Russo-Japanese War and the seige of Port Arthur were later tipped in the volume. Evidence suggests that the scrapbook was originally used by liquor seller of some sort. There are mentions of rum, brandy, stout, and porter on early pages that were then partially covered by clippings.
