This clamshell is different from our normal clamshells due to the sliding drawer in the bottom of the base. When we received this book, I noticed that it was difficult to remove the book from its wrapper and that the wrapper was fragile. I became concerned about the future damage that could occur to the book and sleeve if they continued to be housed together and handled. I decided to craft this clamshell in this manner so users can view both the wrapper and the book together without additional wear, while also allowing users to pick up the book and flip through it the way it was intended!

This book from 1840 entitled “The enchanted scrap book: exhibiting pictures, which appear and vanish at the word of command” is a conjurer’s blow-book, with 7 different hand-colored full-page engravings, each repeated 12 times. Each picture can be made to appear or vanish by flipping the pages in various ways. (View the catalog record for this book)