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Hemm's Small Hand Copies

Copy Book
1840 - 1846 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Light brown bound book, with title, publishers details and price of 6d. printed on cover. The cover features doodles and signatures of Henry Hood and Francis Hood, and the date 'Feb 1846'.
The rest of the book is a series of sentences starting with different letters in alphabetical order; there are three on each page, printed in fine italic script. There are a few imitative marks on some of the page, and the back cover is inscribed 'Henry Hood Ashbourne'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHemm's Small Hand Copies (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Ink on paper
Brief description
Copybook, printed by Hamilton, Adams and Co, London, about 1846
Physical description
Light brown bound book, with title, publishers details and price of 6d. printed on cover. The cover features doodles and signatures of Henry Hood and Francis Hood, and the date 'Feb 1846'.
The rest of the book is a series of sentences starting with different letters in alphabetical order; there are three on each page, printed in fine italic script. There are a few imitative marks on some of the page, and the back cover is inscribed 'Henry Hood Ashbourne'.
Dimensions
  • Width: 21.2cm
  • Height: 8cm
Production typeLimited edition
Marks and inscriptions
‘A man’s manners commonly shape his fortune’ ‘By perseverance you may improve your mind’ ‘Command and practise good manners’ ‘Disappointments attend every occupation’ ‘Endeavour to imitate virtuous examples’ ‘Foment not quarrels and disquietude’ ‘Gaming is attended with ruin to thousands’ ‘Humanity commands respect and admiration’ ‘Improvement is the consequence of industry’ ‘Keep company with virtuous characters’ ‘Lamentation & weeping attend vicious acts’ ‘Much of your improvement depends on self’ ‘Numerous occurrences attend the present life’ ‘Omit not present opportunities of learning’ ‘Paint not crimes in enchanting colours’ ‘Quick promises produce slow performances’ ‘Ruin is the consequence of extravagance’ ‘Summer is the season for contemplation’ ‘Truth stands firm, falsehood brings shame’ ‘Virtuous persons constitute the best company’ ‘When wisdom dictates listen to instruction’ ‘Xenophon had much esteem for his learning’ ‘Youth is the best season for instruction’ ‘Zeal in virtue’s cause is very commendable’
Credit line
Given by Barbara Jones
Object history
This collection of books belonged to Derby tailor Francis Hood and his children.

Francis was born in Ashbourne, Derby, in 1800. In 1823 he married Susanna Wilson, and they had five children. All their names, apart from the youngest, Susanna, appear on the exercise and copy books. Francis was a successful tailor, and the enterprise grew to be a flourishing family business.

George (born 1827) was a tailor with his father by the age of 14. He died aged only 24.

Elizabeth (born 1830) became a milliner and dressmaker. She married Scottish draper John Train, but was soon widowed, and thereafter is listed is woollen goods trader as well as dressmaker.

Francis (born 1832) moved to Australia, possibly before his twentieth birthday, where he stayed the rest of his life.

Henry (born 1836) was an apprentice in 1851. Ten years later, at the age of 25, he inherited the family business, and by 1881 was employing 6 men and 2 boys. He was married to Elizabeth from Somerset, and they had six children. He was able to retire in his mid-sixties and move to a country house on the proceeds of the business. Soon after, Elizabeth died, but Henry remarried at the age of 72 to a woman 31 years his junior. His second son George (born 1868) continued the Hood dynasty from the 1890s, though the shop in St John Street, Ashbourne, remained ‘Henry Hood & Son’ in 1900.

Susanna (born 1838) never married, and lived with Elizabeth. She was also a dressmaker.

The books were passed down through Henry’s children to the donor’s husband.

Associations
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
B.290-2012

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Record createdOctober 17, 2012
Record URL
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