I was inspired to buy this after reading The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell ( a very creepy book.) Silent companions is another term for dummy boards.

I bought a used copy of this issued in 1988. I would have liked colored pictures, but back then it wasn't as common as now. That said, I thought the author packed in a lot of information in a small book, dispelling dubious explanations of the origins of the boards, and of their history. There isn't much information about these almost forgotten items, although searching the internet will pull up some examples in color, but not as much information. The author didn't think that they had any function other than as a decorative object or as a joke. A wide variety of examples were shown, with interesting comparisons of very similar boards done by better and worse craftspeople. They must have been very startling when unexpectedly glimpsed -- I hoped no-one ever fell down a flight of stairs after being startled. In a sense they have continued in the life-size cardboard cutouts that sometimes are used for advertising.

In addition, there are chimney boards, similar trompe d'oeil pieces that covered the fireplace in warm weather, presumably to prevent drafts and add a little more interest than just an empty hearth. ( )