Show me your papers

So many more things to discover! The Bemis collection continues to yield up its mysteries. 

I recently came across this red Moroccan leather tri-fold wallet with a metal clasp lock that belonged to Bemis.

Under the top flap is a sleeve pocket for pen or pencil. 

Under the bottom flap he wrote "Saml Bemis Boston"

Inside the pocket was a lock of his hair labelled "my own 1818."

Note how a scrap piece of paper was folded to create a small envelope

There was also one labelled "Hairs of the immortal Washington Presented by his amiable Widow..."

There is more to the inscription but it is too hard for me to read.

For more period writing info see my previous blogs 

sand caster here. 

watermarks on paper here. 

sealing wax here. 

bound paper here. 

pigeonholes here. 

pin money, secret drawers here.