I love everything I buy and sell in one way or another, but then there are the things I feel a special reverence for, handling as if precious jewels, and this is one of those.It is a travel mirror, American I do believe, c. 1830s-40s, framed in the most beautiful block printed paper (look closely and there is a gold leafed pattern printed on top of that best blue one), with hinged cover (in more beautiful block printed paper, over board) that folds over protect it, and allows it to be stood up when opened. Plus, amazingly, the original sleeve into which it slides smoothly and fits very snugly. As someone who will forever buy a book from this period for a beautiful block printed cover or endpapers, and who forever covets a diminutive band box covered in paper of this ilk, this is really a dream. And of course I love the thought that it carries nearly 200 years of reflections along with it. A rare and wonderful survivor; I don't think I'll ever find another like this.
Sleeve, into which the mirror fits snugly when closed, 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" x 3/8". Beautiful antique condition, general light wear. Flaws in the mirror inherent to its original pouring. One lower corner of the sleeve shows a hole that could well be product of a mouse nibbling at it; the other corner shows a smaller tear, just from wear. Stable and sound and really not fragile, though one wants to be gentle slipping it in and out of the sleeve.
You might also like
