These books were apparently sold with different types of locket, priced & priced to suit different pockets. There was the tin, brass and sterling silver versions. The brass locket was squarer, with a motif of a bird engraved on it and was also hinged, while the more expensive silver case actually had a front plate that swivelled round horizontally to reveal the book.
So, to answer the inevitable question: how was it read? The answer lies in the glass on the front face of the locket, which is actually a magnifying glass rather than being a mere window. A bit of squinting is still involved when looking through it but it does a remarkable job of enlarging the type. Came across this in a small historical museum.
Valerie, I love the focus on the magnified words. These are little treasures...as a former language teacher this touches a chord with me. What ingenuity went into this. Now I carry everything in my phone, but I can imagine using this!
