This is the sort of thing that breaks my heart and makes me glad to be human. Just over 2 inches in diameter, it is a tiny ink and watercolor map of Europe on paper, done with extreme care (can you imagine?) by a Latitia Heston, mid 19th century or so, who signed her name to the reverse, following a verse, that indicates it was made as a token of friendship: In all the varying scene / Which fate or fortune send / When distance intervene / Remind thee of a friend. Making it even better is the envelope that still accompanies it--and makes it feel like the most precious heirloom ever!--documenting its handing down from a Sarah Briggs (one guesses the friend it was originally given to) to Latitia's sister Rachel in 1885, who declares it "a treasure of _fold value to me." (Not sure if that says two or 100 or ?...but I imagine the handing over happened after the death of Latitia.) And then onto E.E. Heston in 1896, and then to (or from?) Alfred Heston in 1934. I purchased it from a bookseller in Grants Pass, Oregon, who acquired it I am not sure how, but what a happy miracle that it has travelled all this way to land in my hands, reminding us of Latitia, indeed. (And now, wherever it lands, there is responsibility that comes with it!)
Map: 2 1/8" d. Envelope: 3 5/8" x 2 7/8". All in beautiful antique condition, clean and crisp and clear.