The Prat Sisters: Free Spirits of the 1890s

Minnie Prat began her apprenticeship with noted bookbinder, Evelyn Hunter Nordhoff, at the Elephant Bindery, in October 1897. Minnie was soon followed by her sister, May Rosina, who studied decorative leather work, as well as bookbinding, with Nordhoff. Nordhoff died unexpectedly in November 1898, at the age of 33, after a brief illness. Minnie, May Rosina, and other former students kept the Elephant Bindery going after Nordhoff's death. By 1900, Minnie and May Rosina had opened their own bindery and leather working studio, the Primrose Bindery, at 37 West 22nd Street.

Date: Probably 1900

Reference: Prat, Starr family Nova Scotia Archives  MG 1 vol. 2625 no. 210