Complete Antique Carved Bone Alphabet in Slide Top Box

Regular price $145.00

I’m always opening small Victorian era boxes just like this one hoping to find bone letters inside, and, happily, here were these! A complete capital letter alphabet inside, A to Z, which looks likely a merger of a couple of different sets, as there are some letters a bit taller and wider and thicker than others. I understand that these were originally used as an aid for teaching children the alphabet and spelling—and how much more enjoyable that would have been (or could be now!) with a set of these!

I think these likely vary a bit in age, from mid to later 19th century. There is a small loss to the bottom right serif on the “F” as documented, but otherwise in very good condition, and the box is in perfect shape. Box measures 5 3/8” x 1 3/4” x 1 3/8” t. Letters about 3/4” tall.