This spun-brass bell is in fine, all-original condition as the photos attest complete with untouched patina, heavy clanger, and a fabulous hefty wooden handle!

The bell rings with a deep resonance which surely brought the schoolchildren indoors promptly!

To add to its charm, the pencil box cover bears a sweet early stencil of Snow White + the Seven Dwarfs! The scene depicts 5 of the dwarfs as well as Prince Charming, sadly escorting Snow White who is lying in her clear glass coffin, having already bitten into the evil witch's poisonous apple and fallen into a deep sleep. Apparently, Prince Charming does not yet realize that all it will take to wake Snow White is a kiss on the lips from him!

Text indicates that the diploma was awarded to Mary L. Downey on January 15, 1892, and certified her to teach the Grammar or Primary Grade for the subsequent 6 years. Signed by 5 members of the California State Board of Education.

Further documentation on reverse reads, "Issued on the recommendation of the Board of Education of San Francisco, in accordance with Section 1521 of the Political Code, upon a first grade or Grammar Grade Certificate of San Francisco, 86.7% (Mary’s test grade).”

With the exception of early fold lines, condition is mint! Measures 8 inches X 10.5 inches.

Red Seal Colored Chalk was produced by the Standard Crayon Manufacturing Company of Danvers, Massachusetts and was distributed by the J.L. Hammett Company, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, producers of school products and materials.

In addition to making children's games, The Milton Bradley Company, for many, many years, produced an extensive array of school supplies, equipment, and materials!

A wonderful addition to School or Artist Memorabilia collection!

Items such as this were given to worthy students by their appreciative school teachers at the end of a term for a variety of reasons not the least of which were scholarship, attendance, and deportment.

This sweet little pin is in excellent, all original condition retaining its original and quite functional clasp! It measures 1/2 inch in diameter.

Framed in a finely-made, mortise and tenon jointed hard wood, this substantial, weighty frame has a slight bevel around the slate surface and remains tight and sturdy.

The double-sided slate surface bears subtle surface scratching from use typical for a slate of this age. The circular mark on the left side of the slate surface seen in the second photo is a flash reflection and not an imperfection on this piece.

The slate also comes with a 19th century slate pencil. A slate of this size is very rarely found in today's market. It retains the very rich patina of its 100+ years of age and can be displayed vertically or horizontally.

Hardcover, 454 pages; very fine condition: no foxing, tight binding, corner edge wear to covers, pencil inscription on frontispiece, dirt stain to exterior edge of book pages visible when book is closed- does not penetrate pages.

The bell is in wonderful condition as the photos attest complete with untouched patina, heavy clanger, and a fabulous hefty wooden handle!

The bell rings with an extraordinarily deep resonance which surely was heard by even the most distant schoolchild!

Photo condition is wonderful- no rips or creases. Original mat board has seen much handling with rough edges and rips. This can be remedied through re-matting and re-framing. The full view photo appears faded or lighter on the right hand side, but this is camera flash glare only- tones/coloration are uniform throughout as seen in close-up photo.