Historical information

This copy book was used by Maggie McKay in 1902 when in 6th Grade at Meeniyan State School (no 3165) and was learning to write in the approved manner.

Vere Henry Louis Foster (1819-1900), an educationist, philanthropist, and humanist, who worked devotedly to improve the situation of the Irish poor, published a series of these copy books to improve writing skills, as better literacy and penmanship meant better chances of employment.
The books were first published in 1865 and were sold for 1 penny, a fraction of what they cost to produce. In the first year alone one million Foster's Copy Books were sold.
The series of books taught children the alphabet and writing. Copy books for older children taught basic business studies and book-keeping.

Significance

The family of Maggie McKay were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire

Physical description

A school writing copy book with 14 pages divided so that the student copied the text on one half of the page.

Inscriptions & markings

VERE FOSTERS NEW COPY BOOKS / BOLD WRITING / OR CIVIL SERVICE SERIES
London BLACKIE & SON Glasgow and Dublin