n.p.
Decorative Box in Book Form
(Paris): n.p., 1934. Approximately 3 1/4 x 4 1/2". Green textured paper with gilt decorations resembling latches on front cover, more faux brass decorations and title on spine, all edges gilt and molded to resemble book pages showing some wear and pencil marks, interior nicely lined in gilt paper. A very good copy, unique.
Early 1800s Friendship Album
Regensburg, Germany: n.p., 1806. Approximately 7 x 4", oblong. Red leather over boards with gilt designs on covers and spine, front cover has gilt initials "J. A. S." and back cover has date of 1806, vibrant marbled endpapers with the front one having a minor corner missing, nice quality paper with watermark and chain lines still visible, back cover has some sort of split-open box attached, introduction loosely translates to "Great praise and good wishes, and be assured that I am eternally your respected brother, Joseph Scheller, Regensburg, Year 1806", many friendship entries in German along with some beautiful hand-drawn and sometimes colored illustrations, in very good + condition.
Not much can be known about Johan Andreas Scheller except that he had many friends. As is traditional with friendship albums of this time, they are filled with poems, drawings, personal messages, and small pieces of verse, some religious in nature. The first drawing, for instance, refers to the sacredness of friendship. These friendship books were popular until the mid-19th century, when they were gradually replaced by yearbooks for university students.
The Well Known Family Game
Germany: n.p., (ca 1920). First edition presumed. Slipcase with chips and small loss of paper affecting two words of the instructions, glossy illustration to front cover, directions to the game on back cover, in good + condition. Twelve cards, 1 1/2 x 2 1/4", cards titled and crudely illustrated in blue, some with roughly trimmed edges (as issued), in about near fine condition.
An apparently unrecorded gambling card game, manufactured in Germany in the early 20th century from cheap materials. The cards are lettered in pairs from A to F and illustrated with members of several "families" such as George Brown, Mrs. John Smith, etc.
Vinegar Valentine
n.p.: n.p., ca 1900. 7 x 9 1/2". Single sheet, lightly toned, minor tears to edges, creased where folded, most likely printed in the United States, stipple engraving, in very good condition.
A common practice in the U.K. and the United States from about 1840 to 1940, these "Vinegar Valentines" were known for their caricatures and insulting poems. Rather rare today since many of these were thrown out by their horrified recipients. The "H." initial might possibly indicate it was created by cartoonist Charles Howard who worked for printer John McLoughlin. The subject of this one is "Your Affinity", about a Broadway stage actor.
Vinegar Valentine
n.p.: n.p., ca 1900. 10 x 13 1/2". Single sheet, lightly toned, minor chip to edge, printed in the United States, stipple engraving, bold colors, in very good condition.
A common practice in the U.K. and the United States from about 1840 to 1940, these "Vinegar Valentines" were known for their caricatures and insulting poems. Rather rare today since many of these were thrown out by their horrified recipients. The "H." initial might possibly indicate it was created by cartoonist Charles Howard who worked for printer John McLoughlin. This is an uncommonly large example of the genre. The subject of this one is "A Professional Scandal Monger".