Halsey Munson Americana

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Decatur, Illinois  62522

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19th C. Diminutive Book Box

Front and rear covers are blind-stamped and gilded. The spine is stamped in gilt “Geraldine,” the title of a novel published in 1837. Both the interior and the page edges are lined with what shows every sign of being the original marbleized paper—in amazingly good condition. Book boxes were used in the 19th C. to hide away valuables like jewelry or private communications and were shelved with the books of the library as camouflage. This is the smallest book box I’ve ever seen and may have been the property of a young girl in a well-to-do family. The condition is superb, with only minor shelf wear to the corners and the base of the spine. 4½” x  ¾” x  3”. Ca. 1840-1850.  On p. 41 of Everyday Artifacts: 1750-1850 Anthony Tafel illustrates a comparable book box.  

$475