R & M Pell's 1841 Wallpapered Draughts Box from the Duke of Grafton nutcracker I think the carver

I think the carver

I don't believe it is

and a clown conducts the proceedings on this sweet wooden box

) The first and last page of the 15 page booklet shows have come apart from the booklet but all pages are present and whole

Board measures 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 3/4" not including pegs

R & M Pell's 1841 Wallpapered Draughts Box from the Duke of Grafton nutcracker I think the carverYou know I love beautiful handwriting, and old wooden boxes, and antique draughts (checkers) too, so of course I fell for this one, which appears to have been a gift from the Duke of Grafton (in the southeast of Northhamptinshire, England) to an R & M Pell in 1841. There appears to be a hand written note to the Pells on the blue papered top, perhaps from the Duke himself, who one imagines sent these along as a gift, and in which the word "friend" is