Infantine Knowledge, A Spelling Book, c. 1850, with Letter from Salem Jail! antique botanical painting and the Joe D who

and the Joe D who signed it was certainly invested in it

also called Japanned) tin spice boxes like this

and perhaps inspiration for some sort of party game

or really perhaps more like a sort of bathing cap

with the banded areas revealing unglazed clay decorated with geometric patterns in black and blue and red circles

Infantine Knowledge, A Spelling Book, c. 1850, with Letter from Salem Jail! antique botanical painting and the Joe D whoThe 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