Guide for drawing the acanthus, and every description of ornamental foliage; (1886)

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS."WE feel an apology due to Mr. Page, for not before noticing his truly and interesting and highly useful Work, which, (at this period, when the florid ornamental style is so predominant, not only in engravings, but in cabinet work, and in the fittings-up of shops, and interior of houses) must be a valuable instructor, to all inlayers, modellers, cabinet-makers, ornamental workers, and carvers, and also to students in every department of the fine arts—to engravers on wood for designs and instructions for ornamenting capitals, and head and tailpieces—letter-founders,for new and chaste patterns for flowers;— and, as the splendidly-ornamental shop-bills which shed such a brilliant lustre on the artistical talent of the last century, are now being happily revived, 'Page's Guide' will be to them of the most vital importance."The letter-press remarks and instructions in the first part are illustrated by innumerable beautifully engraved specimens of the various schools treated of, designed and engraved by the talented author; reflecting on him the highest credit as a writer and artist of pure taste and varied talent."This production has our heartiest commendation; fearlessly and earnestly recommending it to all lovers of the fine arts. Young ladies with the assistance of the above work, may, with the greatest ease, exercise their judgment by forming fanciful borders for the pages of their scrap-books."It is really gratifying to witness such a concentration of genius emanating from one of the British school, and in that peculiar branch of art wherein we have hitherto looked only to foreign countries for examples ; it proves, also, the truth of our oft-repeated assertion—that, if patronized, our artists can rival those of any country. We again especially implore our young and fair readers to cherish and uphold, to the very uttermost of their power, let it be however insignificant, the talent of our beloved country, and not to be led astray by the present fashionable predilection for those innumerable muddy-looking and ugly productions of foreign artists, which unfortunately disgrace the shop-windows of our book and print-sellers, and are purchased and prized merely because they are the works of strangers, whilst our own artists are literally starving for want of employment."— Mirror. Read more