Curious Old Carved Green Marble Obelisk with Various Symbols vintage wooden box also known as gum books

also known as gum books

as the top line of the ink border on the front has burned through the paper and remains attached only at the hinge on the back side (pictured in second photo of cover)

And then these teeth

with a couple of small tears to pages on either side

Face itself measures 4 1/2" across

Curious Old Carved Green Marble Obelisk with Various Symbols vintage wooden box also known as gum booksThings like this intrigue and delight me with their primitiveness and earnestness and sense of purposefulness that seems now rather mysteriousness and unknowable. Found in Maine, certainly it was a folk creation maybe, with heart dangling on what might be taken for a chain on one side, a valentine of sorts, or maybe an offering to the gods in hopes of love! What's going on the other sides is a bit less clear, but looks rather like hieroglyphics, and