Infantine Knowledge, A Spelling Book, c. 1850, with Letter from Salem Jail! antique botanical painting hand-sewn of oil cloth I

hand-sewn of oil cloth I think at least a hundred years ago

and perhaps inspiration for some sort of party game

but a great little carved boot still

though a bit hard to photograph well due to the sheen

also called Japanned) tin spice boxes like this

Infantine Knowledge, A Spelling Book, c. 1850, with Letter from Salem Jail! antique botanical painting hand-sewn of oil cloth IThe second of two early children's books this week both special ones, found at the Deerfield show as part of New Hampshire Antiques week. The title page here appears to be missing but I know this copy of Infantine Knowledge, published by C. S. Francis & Co, Boston, dates to 1850 or so, and it too is a rare one. I fell in love with the alphabets at front, including the dark red on the partially (and emphatically!) hand painted one, and especially the