Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 16019, Triangular puzzle commonplace book on love and life, Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was a purchase from Eclectibles by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia on May 21, 2015.

Scope and Contents

A 2 x 21/2 inch miniature triangular folded "book" with green coated stock cover with applied printed cut-out images of an imp, a frog, and a chick on front (1860's). On back are the word "Peep in this and you will find amusements for the inquiring mind." Within is miniature verse found in fold-out pages that open into circles. The first page is titled, "How to Make Love," and appears to be written by a woman from a woman's perspective. As you turn and fold the 24 center, side, and back pages you find proverbs, truisms, love poems, and more. One proverb is "the silent eye is often a more powerful conqueror." Truisms such as "We go a broad for pleasure but we are glad to be back home again in comfort" and "The chain of love is made of fading flowers," love poems beginning with lines such as "Love is worn and love is blind..." Includes riddles such as "What Roman General do the ladies ask for in leap year?" When you reach the back cover turn the "book" to the side to find eight additional folded pages on each side.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Commonplace books