William Douglas’s Copy of Noah Webster's 1824 American Speller printmaking on Cathay")--which makes me wonder

on Cathay")--which makes me wonder whether the original inspiration for the drawing was an image first painted on a teacup

I had never seen one of these planters before

made by Empire Brush Works of Port Chester

Much worn but sturdy and stable and more beautiful than in photos

I love the rounded ends and especially the star at the center on the top of this tall tramp art frame

William Douglas’s Copy of Noah Webster's 1824 American Speller printmaking on Cathay")--which makes me wonderOf course I could not resist the beautiful calligraphic loops just inside this speller just shy of 200 years old, and especially what I take for a sharp featured little head and shoulders made up of tiny dots at left, which I imagine was a tiny portrait of a stern instructor! With wooden cover boards papered in blue (Webster's speller was the most popular of the day, known familiarly as the blue back speller) it is quite a lovely thing, with page