Boys (and Men) with Bikes on Beach, Antique French RPPC (with Old Corner Mend) unusual sewing box quite sturdy

quite sturdy

and I like the happy surprise of finding gold inside when one flips it over

I believe it likely dates to the late 19th century and is dark brown with gold

with a mix of graphite

here it looks to me with angle measures carved in along the far edge

Boys (and Men) with Bikes on Beach, Antique French RPPC (with Old Corner Mend) unusual sewing box quite sturdyHow much more romantic a vision this group of cyclists in black suits and hats than a bunch in fluorescent spandex and helmets, I'd say, and all the more so lined up on the beach forming a wall between sand and sea. Very cinematic. (And making me think of Reservoir Dogs!) A close look reveals numbers attached to the spokes of their bikes they don't look like Tour de France contenders to me (launched in 1903) but perhaps aspiring! 5 5 16 x 3 7 16. Nice