Excerpt of Franklin's Remarks at 1787 Constitutional Convention, Poignant 19th C. Penmanship Exercise portable chest I've always got an eye

I've always got an eye out for puzzles and games that double as cool sculptural objects

Found in Pennsylvania

but I find it entirely congruent with the seascape represented

I believe the hand-written text at upper left of this drawing reads "coiffure de opium Perle"--meaning opium pearl hairstyle--and indeed it is the combination of lace and pearls on her head

wood panel back

Excerpt of Franklin's Remarks at 1787 Constitutional Convention, Poignant 19th C. Penmanship Exercise portable chest I've always got an eyeI purchased this one from an antiquarian book and all sorts of interesting things on paper dealer based in the Albany area, at a very good antiques show where I found not a single other thing I felt like committing to. Of course I'm always looking for beautifully executed early penmanship examples, which this very much is (look at details; what a lot of strokes of the pen on each letter! and quite a reminder of why everyone was forced to write with