Pair of J.L. Hammett Co. Boston Early Froebel Gift #4 Kindergarten Blocks (Set of 2) antique polychrome head with one tiny nail hole

with one tiny nail hole in the wood at upper right

and the font on the capital letters

The mat around it shows a little minor toning and a few small stains but I'd leave it just as it is

but also feel to me like quite a tender

with a bit of loss to the hand holding the book

Pair of J.L. Hammett Co. Boston Early Froebel Gift #4 Kindergarten Blocks (Set of 2) antique polychrome head with one tiny nail holeYou know I'm a huge fan of early Froebel designed kindergarten materials, and will snatch them up whenever I find them. These J. L Hammett Boston sets both complete "Gift 4" sets, comprised of eight rectangular blocks of the same size precede the Milton Bradley ones; the Hammett company was formed in 1863 by John Hammett, credited with inventing the chalkboard eraser, as well as "slating paint" that extended the life of classroom slates. In 1890,