For a Flower Album began as a project between the writer Colette and her publisher Mermod. He sent her bouquets once or twice a week, inviting her to trace the portrait of each, which became the foundation for a delicate, charming collection of prose pieces, illustrated with a selection of floral Manet watercolours. As the blurb notes:

"Colette could not resist such a siren's lure as that. In all her labours she had never hitherto trodden such a flowery path. The bouquets were received with transports. The delicious little book reflects the well-being which dictated it."

First published in a limited edition run of 5,000 in 1949 as Pour un Herbier, it was given an English translation by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in 1959. This is the First UK Edition hardback, a little purple cloth book in its delicate paper dustjacket.