What is this?

This object came in with a collection of items several years ago, and the researchers have yet to figure out what it is or what its purpose was. Maybe you, our loyal and smart, readers can help us. The front is made of a linen- type fabric with satin ribbons that fasten several pages of wax- type paper together, but no fabric back. We at first thought it might be a book, but the wax coated paper would be difficult to write upon. Perhaps a needle case but it's rather large (6") for that with probably way too many pages. Something to use to press flowers? Ok that's just a wild guess but send us your best guess to lawrencelore@gmail.com