One of my favorites found at the Nashville shows, purchased from a great Pennsylvania dealer I buy from every time I see him, and from whom I would buy everything if I could afford it!  Joys on every inch of this one, the creation of a Mary Karowske I presume, or else a gift to her, but I would like to think she proudly carved her name and carefully inlaid those mother of pearl moons and stars and birds and chairs and candles and cross and heart all by herself! With IHS carved at the center (a Christian monogram representing the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek), and on the flip side:"Friendship, Love and Truth, 1900" animating a heart, with arms coming in from either side, clasping at the center. The spine of the "book" slides off to allow access to its secret chamber, the lid of it sliding open to reveal a velvet and corduroy lining in green and red. Perhaps that chamber was meant to hold a personal Bible, but I'd rather imagine it was a place to stash valentines! A complete charmer, in pretty much perfect condition.

7 3/8" x 5 5/8" x 1 9/16". Substantial, stands on end, and would fit right in among other books on a shelf if needed as a secret hiding place! Very good condition. It takes a moment to figure out how to release the spine, but then it comes off easily and immediately and is easy to put back on. There is writing on the underside of the inlaid slide lid, but in graphite and hard to read--it looks like there is a name and address there, and either NY or NJ.