Boxed set of Writing and Writing Patterns by Marion Richardson published in England by the University of London Press 1953-55

Box with set of educational materials consisting of seven books, two booklets and one card. The stapled card box and seven books are labelled 'WRITING & WRITING PATTERNS By Marion Richardson / University of London Press, Ltd. / Warwick Square, London, E.C.4'.

Five copy books, labelled Book I to Book V, each have a different coloured cover.

Book I contains 20 pairs of copies consisting of black and red pencil writing of patterns and capitals, patterns and small letters and Roman and Arabic numerals. It is for children aged about 6 1/2 to 7 1/2.

Book II contains ten pairs of copies consisting of black and red pencil writing of nursery rhymes and rhyming lists with patterns; also for children aged about 6 1/2 to 7 1/2.

Book III contains twelve pairs of copies consisting of ink writing in black and red of various patterns, the alphabet, groups of words for practising special movements, nursery rhymes and short poems. This is for children of about 7 1/2 to 9.

Book IV contains twelve pairs of copies. It is ink writing with more difficult patterns, poems and prose pieces in smaller writing for children aged about 9 to 10.

Book V contains twelve pairs of copies. It is ink writing in black and red with patterns made from two letters, more difficult poems and prose in small writing for 10 year olds and over.

The Teacher's Book, of which there are two identical copies, describes the methods and materials to be used and includes many black and white reproductions of children's work, comparing their handwriting before and after following the exercises. The Teacher's Book is also illustrated with photographs of schoolchildren putting the writing and pattern making into practice, in classrooms and the playground.

The two, stapled booklets have black and red chalk writing for children of about 6 with patterns, capitals, small letters and a simple nursery rhyme.

All seven books have a repeating white star motif pattern across their front and back covers and they are bound by coloured thread, matching the colour of their covers.

Given by Christina Shore

This educational set was donated by Christina Shore who lived in North London during the early part of her childhood. She was given the collection of books by an ex-teacher from Heath Park Secondary School in Romford and the school stamp can be seen on each of the individual books and booklets, along with the date, March 28 1956.

The label on the box describes the contents of the complete boxed set: Five Pupil's Books, a Teacher's Book, Booklets A & B and specimen Folder. There is an extra Teacher's Book amongst this collection.

These sets of Writing and Writing Patterns were first published in 1935 and continued to be used in schools until the 1980s. Christina used these books in more recent years to "teach my own children the rudiments of writing and for enjoyment of the old teaching poems."

This educational set of books was first published in 1935 and continued to be used in schools until the 1980s. The donor of the books, Christina, used them in recent years to "teach my own children the rudiments of writing and for enjoyment of the old teaching poems." Christina was given the collection by an ex-teacher from Heath Park Secondary School in Romford and the school stamp can be seen on the books and booklets, along with the date the school began using them, March 28 1956.

Marion Richardson (1892-1946), the author, was a leading educator, particularly in the field of art during the period between the two World Wars. The five Writing and Writing Patterns copy books contain patterns, letters and word exercises to improve handwriting and are aimed at different age groups. Book I begins with patterns and letters for children aged about six and a half to seven and a half for copying using pencils. By book V children aged ten and over would use ink to copy poems, prose and patterns made from more advanced letter combinations.

The accompanying Teacher's Book describes the methods and materials to be used and includes many black and white reproductions of children's work, championing Marion Richardson's methods by featuring comparisons of handwriting before and after following the exercises.

B.53:1 to 11-2015