19th Century Penmanship Practice Notebook with Spencerian Bird Drawing spotted dog and I love how time

and I love how time has softened the the edges and mellowed the original gold paint

5 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 5/8" thick and in great condition

This particular box I believe was refinished at some point (the exterior is in excellent condition)

where they have been made since the 1500s

19th Century Penmanship Practice Notebook with Spencerian Bird Drawing spotted dog and I love how timeReally a beauty! Some penmanship practice books appeal to me for the content of the phrases that are repeated, but some, like this one, appeal for the the lettering itself, and in this case, what become almost pure fields of abstract mark making, as single letters are written over and over and over again. The Eliza Ann who did this one, mid 19th century or so I believe, looks to have been quite a good student, creating an excellent example of