I made two objects using sand.  Black sand to be exact.  One is a varnish pail with sand in the bottom for weight.  The other is a sander. 

Clifford W. Estes started a company in 1847 locating and selling black sand.  It was primarily used in sanders or pounce pots.  After writing a letter black sand is poured on the paper to keep the ink from bleeding.  When dry the paper can be rolled and the sand poured back on the sander.  The sander is shaken and the sand falls back in the sander for reuse

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