Thanks for all of the ideas. I really should photograph it and put it on line. And yes, it really is a treasure to have such an heirloom. Don't worry, I WILL NOT burn any of it.
Grandpa came over here as an adult in 1904. There is no one left who would know about it. It was given to my father in 1948 when his father died as my dad was the oldest son. It was passed on to me when my dad died. I know it had to be used earlier in grandpa's life as he was buried in the one he used in his later years. I suspect it came with him from Europe, but I will have to investigate further.