Relic of the Eurydice. Lost March 24, 1878

Probably a sailor-made vernacular object, carved from a solid piece of mahogany, (presumably) from the ship Eurydice. The false brass foredge clasp is attached to the wood with two wood screws and is stamped with "RELIC/ Of THE/ EURYDICE/LOST MARCH 24/ 1878". It has been attached to the relic upside down. The front of the book is decorated with a shallowly incised depiction of the three-masted sailing ship Eurydice with a punchwork background. On the back, there is a depiction of an anchor in relatively high relief in a recessed field against a punchwork background. Four raised bands are carved on the spine. -- description by Mindell Dubansky in consultation with Lynn Heckman.