C. 1920s-40s Hand-painted, Double-sided Letter Blocks sewing tool As with early primers

As with early primers

typically as gifts for loved ones — akin to sailor’s valentines—most dating from 1850-1920

This one is is signed and dated (1851 it looks to me

or metaphorically trapped underground (closeted) and about to come out

I have a weakness for old figurative skittles or nine pins

C. 1920s-40s Hand-painted, Double-sided Letter Blocks sewing tool As with early primersThese blocks were individually hand painted by someone pretty great at painting letters. Only a partial set, but double sided yellow on red on one side, white on red on the other, with double letters for VX and YZ. I consider them a puzzle or challenge of sorts, inviting one to see how many different words and combinations of words one can make with them. They also feel very carnivalesque to me, and that excellent "O" alone sold me on them. Each