Early (1817-18!) New England Polka Dotted Wallpaper Band Box with Newspaper Lining and Hand-stitched Mending dom and how that shift changes

and how that shift changes perceptions of it

1835 (and I love seeing the "anno domini" Latin

Each card measures 3 1/2" tall x 7" long

From Wikipedia: The character of Jiggs was an Irishman and former Hod carrier (assistant to bricklayers) who came into wealth in the United States by winning a million dollars in a sweepstakes

Of course I love those lushly painted pears the most

Early (1817-18!) New England Polka Dotted Wallpaper Band Box with Newspaper Lining and Hand-stitched Mending dom and how that shift changesI often covet 19th c. wallpaper covered "band" boxes, but rarely am willing to pay the price for them. But this one, found at a lovely old school single owner antique shop in MA that deals in early American antiques, just completely won me for the minimalism of its navy on cream hand printed (hand painted?) polka dots; its very early 1817 18! newspaper lining; and the hand stitched thread mending all around the rim. Like the tiny hand beaded