Abecedarium
Letter boards or ABC tablets, on which stood an alphabet of 15 were a widespread until the 19th century in various variants learning aid for children. The letters panels children were left for the first time texts for their own use.
Replicas of typical letters panels: left early, in the middle of a later English Horn Book; right battledore of cardboard.
- 3.1 panel 3.1.1 materials
- 3.1.2 ornaments
- 3.1.3 defects
- 3.1.4 Cross form
- 3.2.1 Religious Symbols
- 3.2.2 text
- 3.2.3 fonts
- 4.1 Literature
- 4.2 Music
- 4.3 images
Origin and distribution
Long before the invention of printing, manuscripts were common, used in schools as a first reading book and devotion. It is believed that catechisms for children exist since the 8th or 9th century. ABC tablets are for educational purposes wooden mentioned in an English manuscript of the 14th century. Since the late 14th century manuscripts educational character are handed down, beginning with a Christian cross and the alphabet and contain various prayers. Dating from around 1400 an illustrated copy of a work of Sacrobosco showing a panel with Arabic numerals originated.
Maybe letters panels are a development of rewritable panels used for teaching purposes with wax coating. When the first ABC - tablet was just created is unknown. The oldest surviving wooden panels from the 15th century, it has also been reported of an apparently very old copy of lead. Furthermore letters tablets from Roman Britain and from the Gallo-Roman France are known. In ancient brick factories and housing estates you will find tiles that an alphabet, sometimes even longer texts, show. These were scraped in the brick before firing into the moist clay, where the workers apparently at least in a rudimentary form of reading and writing taught. As Einhard wrote in his Vita Karoli Magni, Charlemagne tried unsuccessfully writing to learn in insomnia by blackboard and paper.
Probably it was from the earliest systematically produced letters panels two versions: a handwritten to learn by copying the letter writing, as well as a printed learn to read. To be distinguished from the letter chart is the term Abecedarium, including in most definitions both panels letters and first reading books and brooches.
On the oldest surviving panels only the alphabet can be seen. In later models the ABC was followed by a prayer (usually the Our Father ), which occupied the lower half of the sheet. This variant supplanted earlier panels finally almost complete. In most cases the alphabet was preceded by a Greek cross.
Most letters panels were made of wood and were provided with a handle. Sometimes in the handle, a hole was drilled by a cord to hang the plaque on the belt or on the arm. In continental Europe, the handle was often top or on the side, in English-speaking countries below.
Text and illustrations demonstrate that a long time, a short pointer, bone, pin or similar, to direct the child's attention to the letters in the instruction. The panels were probably used by the children not only to learn but also to play; they used some adults as punishment means.
Both stationer and peddlers selling ABC tablets. In markets where there was next to prefabricated panels letters and individual sheets of paper to purchase, which were glued by the parent or teacher on wooden panels.
ABC tablets, were widespread in parts of Europe, and later in America. Copies of, or at least clues to letter boards there from France, Italy, Flanders, the Netherlands, Germany, Bohemia, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Also from Kurdish and Mexican plates was reported. In contrast to the English horn books, very few letters panels from continental Europe are actually delivered.
Since the time the paper was always cheaper to produce, books repressed the letters tablets later than the 19th century.
One of the most popular in Germany, Bohemia, Sweden, Norway and Denmark forms.
14 × 9 cm sheet of a German letter chart ( designed by Daniel Hopfer from the 16th century).
Bartolommeo Schidone (1560-1616): Le premier of devoirs
Developments
Horn books
In the English -speaking world, a thin, transparent, retained by metal strips and nails plate of horn substance covered the glued on paper board to protect it from scuffs and dirt. Such letters panels called Horn books, though they are no books in the traditional sense.
The oldest recorded horn book dates from the mid-15th century; general distribution found horn books but probably not until the end of the 16th century. From mainland Europe only one or two copies have survived; most likely found horn books never greater distribution outside of England and America, where the first immigrants they brought with them from Europe, but did not produce themselves. In addition, some Scottish specimens are known. Some of the older horn books were produced in the Netherlands, after William Caxton competition got from abroad.
The use of horn as a material reaches far back into human history. Even before the first horn books horn plates were used for the protection of lettering on the cover sheets of ancient manuscripts. Possibly developed from this technique, the idea for the Horn Book. The most famous and one of the oldest English company that processed horn, is the London Worshipful Company of Horners. The horn was soaked in boiling water, then it could be easily molded and press together with a press into a thin plate.
Although larger individuals and various materials are known, most horn Books measured about 7 × 13 cm or less and were made of oak wood on which the paper was glued. On the horn plate was (usually made of copper or copper-containing alloys) attached to about 3 mm in width and mm thick metal strip. The nails were made by hand. In previous horn books whose heads were going sanded on four sides to an increase ( see figure at right ), so they protected the horn book from scratches when it was placed upside down on a surface. The metal strips were thin enough to drive the nails into the wood, without drilling holes; also they were easy to whittle with a normal pair of scissors. The final price of a horn book in the 17th and early 18th century was typically in the range of half a penny to two pence.
The English term Horn Book included with the time and letters from wooden boards with no horn plate, in general, other forms of learning aids such as Battledores (see below) and any first texts for children. Regional other names or nicknames such as " horn - gig", " battledore book ", " horn -book ", " Horning -book " or were " horn - asked " spread. From the original meaning of the term occasionally used in today's English usage " Horn Book " for an introductory or basic text developed on an issue, especially in the field of jurisprudence. Horn Book Law is the name given to a legal principle that is so widely accepted that he needs no further explanation.
In London's smaller schools horn books were widely used until 1790 or later. From 1800, demand dried up to Horn books; already twenty years later were most, only remaining in rural areas, destroyed copies. Chance are delivered very late examples from the 1830s.
Battledores
Back and front of a wooden battledore with pictures
Example of a battledore of cardboard
A variant of the letter boards developed in England from wooden badminton rackets ( " Battledores "). The badminton game was very popular both with children and with adults. Some local printers printed these thugs on both sides, " side" with the ABC and the ten digits and with an image to give children the opportunity - to learn - that is, during the game. The one time common expression " to know B from a battledore " means that someone barely formed. Sometimes labeled " Battledores " also horn books.
Advances in papermaking and in printing industry led to the development of learning tools that were not made of wood but of strong paper or cardboard. These boards were called " Battledores ". The letters panels of cardboard invented in 1746 claims to Benjamin Collins. As shown by his statements, he sold 1770-1780 more than 100,000 copies to twelve shillings per Gros. The retail price per piece was two pence. However, was probably earlier the alphabet on tablets of cardboard in use; This variant was first mentioned in 1577 ( Works of Sir Thomas More, Knyght, sometime Lorde Chancellour of England, wrytten by him in the Englysh tonge ..., p 606). Whether such early signs generally had a handle or not, can no longer be determined.
The early traditional Battledores are made of a Dutch paper. The front had a protective greyish or brownish lacquer coating in general; the back adorned with a colorful motif that often embossed with golden color exhibited in some places. In later variants were allowed off the colorful ornaments and religious texts. Finally, printed both sides. Many printer set forth Battledores of cardboard and gave them their own names such as The Royal battledore, The London New battledore, The New Improved Batledore, The Good Child's battledore or The Infant's battledore. Especially in later years, there were countless variations of Battledores. A hybrid between Horn and battledore book is Thomas Saints New invented horn -book that is made like a horn book, but contains both a classic alphabet with prayer as well as an illustrated ABC.
Battledores began to lose popularity in the 1820s and 30s. In the middle of the 19th century or a little later they were replaced by multi-page booklets.
Variants and special shapes
From letters panels very numerous variants have been handed down, which differ in the materials, the form and the content used by the common types.
Panel
Materials
A letter chart of silver, who allegedly heard the Queen Elizabeth to ( authenticity disputed). The protective layer is made of talc instead of the otherwise conventional horn.
Letters panels of silver, as they were used in, among other noble families, are extremely rare. Probably many old copies were destroyed in order to get to the metal. The fact that in some of these noble specimens occur gross typographical errors, may be an indication that horn books made of silver were not uncommon in her day.
Furthermore letters panels are handed down from iron, which all come from the later period.
From the mid- 18th to the early 19th century letters panels of ivory and bone were relatively widespread. Because of their necessarily high price they were wealthy families reserved.
In Horn books with leather cover the wooden board was usually thinner than in the more common variants. The leather was attached with hot glue on the panel; for the handle coating a separate triangular piece of leather was needed. Ornaments were minted on using a heated metal block.
An approximately 3 × 3 ½ cm large single copy made of lead, it should be genuine, possibly the oldest surviving letter chart at all (see figure on the left above). The left picture below shows a probably dating from the 16th century stone mold from Germany and so made 4 ½ cm wide leaden table.
How texts and bakeware from England and the Netherlands show up letters panels made of gingerbread enjoyed great popularity. Also, needle work with the ABC have survived.
Ornamentation
Occasionally outlined a framework of ornaments the text. Often this framework, however, was completely or partially obscured by the metal strips. Therefore possible that he served not only for decoration but also as a guideline when assembling the panel.
Some panels adorn incised or embossed motifs on the back and the handle. Popular were simple flower-like pattern. But there are other motives, such as the King Charles I on horseback or the patron saint of England, George and the dragon. Sometimes silver or gold foil was applied to the panel before stamping. Gold-plated panels are not handed, but are mentioned in old bills and promotional advertisements.
Shortcomings
Letters panels showed differences in quality, which are expressed in workmanship and the materials used.
Simple models of the letters panels that were produced in large quantities and at a low price, sometimes were deficient. These include wooden panels of irregular thickness, different width strips of metal and chunky or protruding horn plates.
Cross shape
Contemporary sources report that some of the early letters panels were manufactured in the form of a Latin cross, with the individual letters were arranged vertically and horizontally. From copies in other variants have been reported ( see picture).
Content
Religious symbols
Usually the first line of the ABC began with a Greek cross or Tatzenkreuz (rarely with a Latin cross), which immediately followed the first letter. This first line, and, assuming the entire alphabet - possibly together with the cross - called in English Criss -cross -row ( spelling variations were common ), French Croix de par Dieu or Croix de Jésus par. These terms were for a time for any elementary knowledge. When children play scratch cradle, in which the objective is to form a via hands spanned band figures, it was customary to say during the stretching and contraction of the Bands "criss - cross".
At the time when England was Catholic, the students had to say and cross themselves at the beginning of the lesson "Christ 's cross ." The religious connotation faded with time; after the Reformation demanded to no more sign of the cross when reading from the Horn Book. In some Battledores the letter " X" replaced the cross; in some, especially later horn books it was left off entirely. The variant without cross was among others in Scotland and for emigrating to America Puritans who rejected image worship, customized.
Sometimes the ABC followed by three triangularly arranged points that should remind the young reader in the Trinity.
A chalkboard with numbers, copy of a pressure of Sebald Beham (1500-1550)
Text
Most small, then the uppercase letters were first printed. Some variants led the vowels or their possible combinations with consonants explicitly. Usually also followed an ampersand ( "&"), and some punctuation.
Often containing the ABC following prayer in older horn books - according to the former practice of the Roman Catholic Church - no doxology.
On some horn books not only the letters of the alphabet, but also the ten Arabic numerals or Roman numerals were mapped. As shown by contemporary Italian and German illustrations, and tables were probably used that contained no ABC, but only numbers.
A printed in Italy in the 16th century panel shows the Hebrew alphabet.
Fonts
A late handwritten Horn book with iron frames from the end of the 18th century
Probably the first letter boards were hand written, but this form was maintained partly by the wide spread of printing. From the time before the invention of printing no handwritten signs have survived. However, write instructions are known in books with ABC, the handwritten letter boards are similar (about Calligraphia: Or the Arte of Fair Writing by David Browne, 1622).
The first printed panels used broken fonts. Since the Antiqua found in England since 1467 and use in 1580 had peaked, horn books come in this work from the 15th century or later, but not sooner. Printers used letters, even after the introduction of the Antiquarian and to the 16th and 17th century on, so that can not be contained acceptably close to the exact date of manufacture of letters panels of Scripture. The last, made in the 19th century horn books and Battledores use fonts from Bodoni type.