Testimony of Approbation for Maralyn, Unusual Early 19th Century Letterpress Reward of Merit magazine rack The near-black side clearly once

The near-black side clearly once showed a message spelled out in pins

(Or a great gift for a 13 year old

and I have to agree--I've never see one packed with as many darnings as this

with all over silvery spots

shot at 2-3 times magnification

Testimony of Approbation for Maralyn, Unusual Early 19th Century Letterpress Reward of Merit magazine rack The near-black side clearly onceI've become quite attentive to rewards of merit, specifically hunting for early and unusual ones, handmade or otherwise rare and special. This one I found in Maine, purchased from a dealer from whom I recently purchased several others, those, awarded to a Polly Este, from the 1820s, and I believe this one, expressing approbation for a young Maralyn, from about then too. The irregular cut of the paper combined with armillary sphere and letterpress