This is one of three sample books in the V&A which come from the Retrospect collections issued by Louis W. Bowen, Inc., a leading American interior designer who ran a his own business manufacturing speciality wallcoverings. The emphasis is on reproductions and reworkings of historic patterns, and most of the papers are top-of-the-range styles, with gilding, satin finishes, tapestry effects and so on. This book also inlcudes a book spine pattern 'library' paper, large scale florals, some with foil grounds, and various chinoiserie styles.