Hand-stitched Cloth Covered "The Children's First Reader" c. 1892, with Drawings marsh landscape 4 1/4" long x 3

4 1/4" long x 3 3/4" t and in very good condition

just enough space to put maybe a secret note or photo inside

Another little piece of Americana: I do believe the carved (whittled) head on this old folk art letter opener was meant to represent Abe Lincoln

and that handle is a pure pleasure to hold onto

I've got a special weakness for renderings of children with their beloved pets

Hand-stitched Cloth Covered "The Children's First Reader" c. 1892, with Drawings marsh landscape 4 1/4" long x 3I've become pretty smitten with antique fabric covered books like this, with zig zag stitching holding the fabric tight to the inside covers, and even better to find drawings or doodles inside, as is the case here. The book is Ellen M. Cyr's "The Children's First Reader" published in 1892 or so (the title and copyright pages are missing here, but the rest of the book seems to be present.) I really like the fact the the drawings consume the dedication