Regency Romance: A Fine Fan, circa 1830's, the monture of white mother-of-pearl, the gorge elegantly gilded with flowers, both guards of a gold metal repoussé with flowers, the upper guards with the addition of red stones. The double paper leaf is printed and hand coloured, the recto with Moorish buildings and a garden in which three ladies light flames in the hope of finding true love. One carries a fan. Side vignettes show a winged maiden and youth, scattering flower petals and holding floral garlands. The reserves are filled with colourful butterflies and further flowers. The verso depicts a winged maiden holding a flaming torch, an admirer proffering a red rose, with the words "Una visita de amor en casa de su hermano". Print registration FC N382 marked to one side. Together with a fan tube covered in shiny gold paper. Guard length 8.5 inches or 21.5cm

FC could refer to F. Coustellier Abaniqueros in Paris. Thanks to The Fan Museum, Greenwich, London, for information relating to print registrations, found in their latest exhibition catalogue "The Romantic Age", which presents a selection of fans from this period. Other such registrations are cited in the catalogue. The vendor had noted FC to refer to Francis Costello, and a further reference of Bellville No's 14, 15 and 191