Folding portable lantern in book form
The book has a collapsible handle and a foredge clasp; there are inscribed double-lines around the head, tail and foredges, the rounded spine is designed with five double "bands" to resemble a book spine; there is a push slide at the bottom of the spine (reason not known); the interior brass folding mechanism is decorated with cut-out tracery and a heart. An American lantern similar to this one, has been patented by Georg H. Magersuppe, Pat. no. 31,896, patented April 2, 1861. -- description by Mindell Dubansky in consultation with Lynn Heckman.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.