Beautiful Early Reader

Early Nineteenth Century Ivory Hornbook

[circa 1820s]

Lovely example of an early 19th century ivory hornbook.

Fine.

Price: $5,500.00

Early Nineteenth Century Ivory Hornbook

"As alphabets in ivory employ/ Hour after hour the yet unlettered boy." — William Cowper (as quoted in Tuer)

While most hornbooks were made of wood and leather, ivory versions were used by the wealthy. Hornbooks were used in English-speaking countries to teach young children early literacy skills. Often made of wood, the term "hornbook" comes from the thin protective sheet of horn mounted over a printed page containing the alphabet and/or other short reading exercises. Wealthy families found that carving the letters directly into ivory offered similar durability.
Hornbooks were outmoded by the mid-19th century, and Andrew Tuer describes them being disposed of by the hundreds. Such beautiful examples are rarely seen on the market. A lovely and petite hornbook made for little hands.

Read more: Andrew Tuer, History of the Horn-Book, 1897.

The Object

n.p. n.p, [circa 1820s]. 4'' x 2'' including handle. Ivory. Alphabet carved and filled with black pigment, with decorative flower and red dots to one side only. Pigment of flower stem very slightly faded. A bright and clean example.

The Fine Print

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