Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="robinjojo, post: 7537181, member: 110226"]I do, when the opportunity presents itself, like to acquire exceedingly rare literary works by very obscure authors of the early 20th century.  These works are so rare, that only a handful of their works are held by universities and libraries.  They are so rare that they hardly come up for sale, either privately or through auction.  These works are so rare that only a handful of people know of their existence.  Even some of their owners, after a while owning these most singular works, can't remember that they actually ever existed!  Give their rarity, both in form and in content, these works of literary height are priceless! I was fortunate to acquire one of these works a few years ago.  This small, pocket-size edition is titled Spring Poems - The Four Swallows. The book itself is a thing of beauty - red leather binding and elegant gliding on the edges.  The author of this, superlative, monumental work of poetry is so obscure, that, alas, his or her name does not appear on the cover! [ATTACH=full]1301166[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1301168[/ATTACH] But, as with many things in life, what one sees initially in not necessarily what it actually is, for with the press of the thumb on a slight depression on the spine, something happens... [ATTACH=full]1301169[/ATTACH] So much for poetic content, for here is the actual contents of this masterpiece. [ATTACH=full]1301171[/ATTACH] For, in reality this work, whose pun should be obvious, is actually a holder for Demon Alcohol, used by Flappers and other individuals of dubious moral character back in the mid-1920s, at the height of Prohibition.  I estimate that this "book" was made around 1921-1924. <img src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2020/01/01/lens/01driest-ast-10/01driest-ast-10-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Image courtesy of the New York Times <img src="https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/1920s-a-woman-using-a-dummy-book-bearing-the-title-the-four-swallows-picture-id542390349" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Image courtesy of gettyimages Actually, these surreptitious devices were as popular among the public as Prohibition was unpopular.  Also, they do come up for sale from time to time, but it is somewhat unusual to find an example with all four glass "flasks" intact. Here's a photo of the bottom.  This flask holder was made by R Y Novelties of Brooklyn, New York.  The patent date is February 22, 1921.  There's also a small hole, which I assume is there to drain any booze that accumulated on the bottom of this "book". [ATTACH=full]1301186[/ATTACH]But, please, do not waste your time trying to locate this work in the poetry section of your local library. Instead, enjoy your favorite libation.  Bottoms up! An addendum: I forgot to include a photo of the spine. [ATTACH=full]1301808[/ATTACH] The slight depression at the top activates, when pressed, a spring which releases the top.  Given the age, almost 100 years old, it is still quite stout. On the top, "Memories of the Past", then "J.B. Corn".  At the bottom "Vol. II". Here's an interesting description of a similar "book" sold on another website: "This is a unique, rare Prohibition-era flask disguised as a small book bank. 5 1/4 X 3 1/2 X 1 inch in size. The book bank is steel, covered with canvas, stained, and lacquered to resemble leather. The sides are brushed brass to make it appear like a book. On the spine is written " Memories of the Past J.B. Corn," referring to corn whiskey prominent during the Prohibition. The title on the front is "Spring Poems The Four Swallows", referring to four swallows, one each from the four small vial flasks inside. There is a spring-loaded hidden button at the top of the spine that releases a catch, enabling one to open the book from the top to expose the four glass flasks. The bottom has the name of the maker: "John Nutry, 85 Adams St., Brooklyn" along with his nut-shaped hallmark with "RY Brooklyn NY". Underneath is stamped "Pat. No. 1359128 Feb. 22, 1921 Others Pending". Nutry was known for making little book-shaped banks." My example does have John Nutry, 85 Adams St., Brooklyn on the bottom, but it seems to be mostly worn off.[/QUOTE]

Create my FREE Account!

Log in or Sign up

Reply to Thread

Useful Searches