C. 1890s J.L. Hammett Boston Frobel Kindergarten Blocks, Gift No. 4 hand-painted marionette / His inward bosom to

/ His inward bosom to disguise

with gold figure and silver border

then after a few ups and downs of the joints in the middle the wheels will start turning

With a little effort

but this piece has gone missing

C. 1890s J.L. Hammett Boston Frobel Kindergarten Blocks, Gift No. 4 hand-painted marionette / His inward bosom toI've had a couple of sets of very early Milton Bradley Froebel kindergarten blocks in the shop, but this is the first set I've found with a J. L Hammett Boston label, which makes them even rarer. The J. L 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, Hammett sold the company to a group of Massachusetts investors, and in