Manual of the system of the British and Foreign School Society of London for teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, and needle-work, in the elementary schools
London: printed for Longman and Co., 1816. 8vo, pp. viii, 69; 2 full-page illustrations and 4 folding plates; incorrectly imposed, with pages vii-viii and 87-88 swapped, the "a" signature used twice (with the text continuing properly) and a second title page supplied for the second "a" signature, causing something of a collation puzzle. It appears most likely that the printers made a significant error, and the binders did what they could to rectify the issue. Old stab holes suggest at least a temporary binding but the book is effectively in sheets. The digital copy referenced appears to have removed the second title page (leaving "a(2)" with 7 leaves) and placed the two misprinted leaves in the appropriate place. Disbound and partially unopened, chipped and toned at the edges. The system is based on Joseph Lancaster's monitorial system, which involved abler pupils being used as teaching assistants within the classroom. Lancaster's model of education received strong initial support in England, but had falling outs with his supporters and spent time in debtor's prison before moving to the Americas and attempting to establish schools there, to similar results. Item #58092
Price: $350.00
