Back Row.  The book, titled "Spencerian Key to Practical Penmanship" was prepared for the "Spencerian Authors" by H. C. Spencer, one of Platt's twin sons.  It was published in 1966, two years after the master's death.  The etching is of Platt R. Spencer, Sr., "The originator and author of the Spencerian style and system of penmanship."  The bowl, standing on its edge, has an interesting story.  According to Platt's grandson, Percy Sloan, it was "the personal washbowl (belonging) to my grandfather.  He was ahead of his time in thoughts about germs and refused to use the washbowls of others, so this brass washbowl accompanied him on all his travels."

Middle Row.  The sponge-ware cup, minus its handle, was from a set of family dishes.  The bell called in the family for meals, and Platt's writing students from rest and recreation for resumption of classes.  Most interesting is the surviving cruet from a castor set that sat on the family dinner table.  This is, according to Percy, "My grandfather's personal cruet in which he kept red pepper.  He felt that black pepper was 'unhealthful'."

Front Row.  The pewter porringer was from Mrs. Spender's family, the Dutys.  It had been used by them as early as the last 1700s and was brought east with them from Acworth, New Hampshire.  At some point it made its way into the Spencer family.