Jewels in Her Crown: Treasures of Columbia University Libraries Special Collections

Exhibition Themes > Literature > 197. Hornbook mould

197.  Hornbook mould, 18th century?. Wood, England? RBML, Plimpton Hornbook No. 6

George Arthur Plimpton (1855-1936) used a hornbook image on his bookplate, and he collected hornbooks, such as this one that could have been used to make such delightful things as gingerbread hornbooks. It was the perfect emblem for his collecting interests. Education through books was also his profession, he having joined the text book publishing firm of Ginn & Company in 1881, and serving as its chairman from 1914 until 1931.

Gift of George Arthur Plimpton, 1936

Columbia University Libraries / Butler Library / 535 West 114th St. / New York, NY 10027 / (212) 854-7309 / info@libraries.cul.columbia.edu