One Gross Pen Wipers, As Found Box of Antique Leather Pen Wipes Benjamin Harnett painting and I believe they were

and I believe they were often displayed on hotel bars

provided the sun is out

and also a bit perhaps like Captain Ahab

I love the fact that making these reflected an increasing popular interest in the natural world and also a greater freedom for women and girls--an excuse to venture out on their own toward to the sea

not expecting to find anything

One Gross Pen Wipers, As Found Box of Antique Leather Pen Wipes Benjamin Harnett painting and I believe they wereI've never come across a box of these before, nor had the dealer I purchased them from, who has seen just about everything! I did just happen (scrolling through ebay) to come across a tiny naive watercolor, mid 19th c., painted on a round of leather just like one of these making me think, as does the packaging, that this box full is about that old. I just love this as a found object, with excellent green paper "Penwipers" label on plain cardboard box