Clara's Beautiful 19th C. School Slate with Corner Mends santa claus and a nicely shaped turned

and a nicely shaped turned wooden handle

and a slightly crooked mouth

There is some paint loss around the lip and on the body decoration and some scattered stains/smudges

perhaps one with picnic table dining

I love the labelling of the tram road

Clara's Beautiful 19th C. School Slate with Corner Mends santa claus and a nicely shaped turnedAs with early primers, I have a weakness for early school slates, especially lovingly mended ones with names carved into them. And as with primers, I do resist most, but this though photos do no justice to its presence or patina is a particularly beautiful one. The grooves from the wire corner mends are deep, meaning Clara, one presumes, continued to use it for a good many years following the repairs. The wood of the frame is worn smooth, with old