Workbook of sophisticated mathematics by a textile factory scion, with allegorical animal illustrations.

Mathematics for Victorian entrepreneurs. A charming nineteenth-century mathematics workbook focused on unusually sophisticated entrepreneurial calculations, completed by the son of a Yorkshire textile magnate.

The engraved title of this volume gives the publisher as J.S. Publishing & Stationery Co. of Otley, locating the manuscript to the Yorkshire area, and the pencilled ownership inscription reads, 'John Horsfall, Sept 26 - 1870'. This was most likely the second son of John Horsfall of Halifax (1823-1886). Horsfall was a 'classic Victorian entrepreneur' who originally trained as a plumber but entered the textile trade when he realised the opportunities offered by steam-powered mills. In 1863 he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, woollen manufacturer James Clay, and they founded their first mill in Luddenden Foot. Horsfall married in 1855 and had six children; John William was the second son and would go on to manage the company from 1905 to 1922. The firm is still in business as a manufacturer of textiles for the airline industry, including British Airways and Qantas (John Horsfall website).

John William Horsfall's position in a manufacturing family explains the contents of this 106-page manuscript, which would only be relevant to a child expected to become an economic leader. Some of the mathematics are typical of education at the period, such as fractions, simple interest, monetary calculations, and algebraic problem solving in terms of the quantities and prices of goods. But a substantial portion covers truly uncommon subjects: commissions, stock purchasing, brokerage fees, interest on annuities, and profit and loss in partnerships. We have handled numerous mathematics workbooks completed by children expected to go into a trade, but have never seen mathematics geared to high-level management and entrepreneurship.

One of John's similarities with other children is that he seems to have enjoyed drawing on his homework, and the manuscript is of interest for the elaborate and naive coloured illustrations used as allegorical headers: robins for calculating change, a zebra for simple interest, a lion wounded by an arrow for brokerage fees, and a leopard bloodily consuming a bird for partnerships (leaving one to wonder if there was lingering family conflict from the original Clay-Horsfall partnership!) More typical of educational workbooks, there are also attractive calligraphic headers depicting birds and feathers. The one on the opening page is particularly fun, as John has rendered the flying bird — originally an eagle? — into a chicken by the addition of a red comb, and also drawn in a rabbit escaping from it over a grassy hill.

A truly unusual and engaging document of Victorian Era manufacturing-related education.

Manuscript in purpose-made album with engraved frontispiece, comprising 88 leaves with approximately 106 pages of manuscript in red and black ink and coloured pencil, pencilled ownership inscription on the frontispiece, occasional spots and marks but overall contents clean; original black half skiver and marbled boards, wear at the corners and ends of the spine, boards a little rubbed and scuffed, very good condition.