Multiplication table on Linen, with school scene.

[ARITHMETIC - JUVENILE.]

Published by n.p., England, ca, 1790

About this Item

Framed copperplate engraving printed in sepia on fine linen (400 x 520 mm), wooden frame: (575 x 460 mm), glazed; in fine condition, albeit presumably faded. A charming and very unusual copperplate engraving of a slightly tongue-in-cheek schoolroom scene. The put-upon teacher sits at his desk correcting a pupil's work. Around him are numerous pairs of students mostly working diligently, either reading or writing, one is presenting his work to the teacher. The bottom quarter of the engraving are taken up by tables of multiplication, division, and a pence table, for converting pence into shillings or pounds. It is unclear whether this printed handkerchief was meant to be displayed in the classroom or was used as a teaching aid. Printed handkerchiefs became very wide spread in England in the seventeenth century with the growing fashion for snuff-taking. At this point pictorial or commemorative handkerchiefs were introduced. They tended to be rather larger than modern handkerchiefs, indeed headscarf size and often recorded major events, such as war, travel, politics, royal occasions, scandals and famous people. Not many pre-1800 examples have survived, because the second half of the 18th century coincided with the peak of the fashion for snuff taking. In this field English and especially London plate printers did not seem to have been faced with much competition from Europe, there is little evidence of foreign printed handkerchiefs being imported. What is rather curious is the subject of the present handkerchief, with its educational intention. See Mary Schoeser, Printed Handkerchiefs, 1988.

Seller Inventory # 5184

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Multiplication table on Linen, with school scene.
• Publisher: n.p., England, ca
• Publication Date: 1790