Spruce gum box in book form

Case carved of solid softwood, with separately made top and bottom covers. The bottom insert is stationary, as it does not include a recessed finger pull. The raised carving includes profiles of a presumed husband and wife, as well as floral motifs, decorative bands on the spine and a false clasp with double heart-motif false clasp Inscriptions read "Duty first and Pleasure afterwards" on one side, and "Tow [two] things to forget. A good deed done to another or a bad one done to myself" on the other. Details of both kinds of carving were picked out in red, green and black paint. -- description by Mindell Dubansky in consultation with Lynn Heckman