19th Century Carved Marble Folk Art Book with Detailed Spine and Camouflaged Monogram antique tornado photo Certainly once paddles extended from

Certainly once paddles extended from his arms

Then he draws himself 50 years older

Along the bottom edge is the name of its maker in brown

My general philosophy is to buy things whose sheer existence makes me happy

1840s-70s or so)

19th Century Carved Marble Folk Art Book with Detailed Spine and Camouflaged Monogram antique tornado photo Certainly once paddles extended fromI love a carved stone folk art book, and the rich red and white marble on this one is just gorgeous. And, the patterning on the marble has the effect of almost entirely camouflaging the monogram beautifully carved into the face of it, which the carver clearly knew, such that it feels like an intentional sort of secret. I felt it first with my fingers, then looking closely and holding the book an angle, one can just discern it; looks like SLC to me.