Lovely Antique Double Sided Decorative Motif Carving "Sampler" Signed Upton the archer once I began reading through

once I began reading through the 20 or so pages that are filled

a human figure

copper engravings on soft laid paper

looking almost as if coated in tar

I've had a few decks of US Navy signal flag card decks

Lovely Antique Double Sided Decorative Motif Carving "Sampler" Signed Upton the archer once I began reading throughNeedlepoint samplers, darning samplers, penmanship samplers and carving samplers too! I presume this block of wood, with a variety of carved motifs on both sides, was made for practice, perhaps in advance of a specific project, though perhaps more just a showcase of skills. Better in hand and equally good on both sides I think, with a really nice warm dry patina to the wood. Signed (incised) UPTON along the top edge on one side. Early 20th century I