A Jim-Crack

Phil May

Illustration inscribed lower right: "Phil May '95""

Source: Tuer, facing p. 20

"Jim-Crack," in the sense of tawdry, seems to refer to the nattily dressed, wavy-haired young boy, but it might also suggest being whacked (having a crack at Jim!). Apparently, instruction has failed, and the irate schoolteacher has snatched the hornbook away from the boy, threatening to use it for punishment instead. Phil May's dynamic lines and comic genius are very much to the fore here, although today's readers might frown at the possibility of corporal punishment.

Image downloaded, text and formatting by Jacqueline Banerjee. Click on the image to enlarge it, and click on the link to find out more about hornbooks.

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