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Horn Book and Battledore

1896

Horn books were the first form of alphabet book used by children in English speaking countries from the 15th to the 19th centuries.

Horn books resembled wooden paddles, the earliest of which featured letters in upper and lower case incised into the wood. They were designed to be held in the hands of young children, who were expected to learn the alphabet and the Lord’s Prayer while at play. Later versions printed the alphabet, the Lord’s Prayer and words of moral instruction on paper that was mounted onto a wooden, silver or leather bound paddle. This was then covered with a thin layer of animal horn, hence horn books name.

Batteldores were the next printed development in alphabet books for children, which, when folded, resembled a book.

This facsimile of a horn book, pictured overlaying a battledore, was produced in London in the late 19th century by the printer Andrew W Tuer and published by Leadenhall Press.