Featured Old leather ...book cover?? Benjamin Franklin quote

Just got this at the thrift. Glued onto wood, attached part appears to be leather and reminds me of an old leather book cover, but couldn't find anything online. It's a Benjamin Franklin quote obviously. (No clues on the back --just a plank of wood, vintage at best.) Any leads on where this front leather section might have come from? Thanks!

 

HA!! I JUST LOVE that!!!!!!!!!!

 

Might have been the cover on something like a personal journal, or diary.

 

That is interesting... is it just leather, with nothing like a cardboard backing to stiffen it? There are leatherbound books like that. I wonder why a book cover would have only a quotation on it. Anything is possible, though. @moreotherstuff 's theory could be the answer.

 

I collect old wise sayings. I notice many of the old ones, no one ever says anymore.
This says a lot. Also, it was hard to find a free text/pdf online of all of Benjamin Franklin's wise sayings. I still don't think there is one.

"The Business Guide or Safe Methods of Business" by J.L. Nichols has one on every page. "The Handbook of Illustrated Proverbs," by Barber has just as many if not much more. You can find both online in PDF.

 

Also, back then, people would have created something like this just because they valued wisdom so much over just knowledge. It may just be a wall hanging, not a book cover.

 

Probably the remains of a leather book cover/protector, which were often heavily ornamented and not of the finest materials, made to slip over the covers of a hardcover book you wanted to protect. I have a couple of them around somewhere, will post pix if I can find them. From the style & condition I'd estimate it at around 1910, +/- 5 years.

 

Thank you all. Just noticed the additional comments. Thank you for taking the time to post. Helpful!