Testimony of Approbation for Maralyn, Unusual Early 19th Century Letterpress Reward of Merit magazine rack or just inside the door

or just inside the door could be the hanger for all one's keys--with a spare set dangling from its tail

The near-black side clearly once showed a message spelled out in pins

and gunfighter

and would have been given as a love token or valentine

2 3/4" t x 1 9/16" in diameter

Testimony of Approbation for Maralyn, Unusual Early 19th Century Letterpress Reward of Merit magazine rack or just inside the doorI've become quite attentive to rewards of merit, specifically hunting for early and unusual ones, handmade or otherwise rare and special. This one I found in Maine, purchased from a dealer from whom I recently purchased several others, those, awarded to a Polly Este, from the 1820s, and I believe this one, expressing approbation for a young Maralyn, from about then too. The irregular cut of the paper combined with armillary sphere and letterpress