Thomas Bewick had a hard time learning to read but discovered he was really talented at drawing animals.
Thomas Bewick lived at a time when many men made their living by carving. Beautiful items were made by carving into gold and silver, even copper, and tin.
By this time in history more and more people could sign their names. Still, people had signet rings and signet blocks and signet lockets carved for them.
These signet items were special signs that stood for one's name, stood for one's signature. See the little word sign in signature?
After a document was written, these signet items were pressed into a blob of warm wax which was dripped on the bottom of the page. When the wax cooled and hardened, impressed upon it would be a lion, or a fox, etc. This wax sign was called a seal; the seal was a signature. We still use the word, seal, today, as in: the agreement was sealed with a handshake.
Young Thomas Bewick had the idea he could use metal carving tools to carve detailed pictures into a block of wood. After carefully carving the picture, he would dip it in ink, then press the woodcut onto paper. You can see Thomas Bewick's woodcuts online and at the your library.
Long before fingerprints were used to solve crimes, Thomas Bewick had the idea of using his fingerprint as a signature! He formed the habit of signing his name, then dipping his finger in ink and pressing his fingertip onto the paper near his name.
There is a word which refers to a special sign, like Bewick's fingerprint, or a special design someone draws when signing their name: paraph (pa raf, the 1st a is long, ph says f.).
Sometimes a paraph is a swirling curlicue, or a snaking line drawn under the name, or even a tiny animal. These days, paraphs are just for fun. Long ago, paraphs were an important way to know if a signature was genuine or a forgery.
You may like to look at the books I have to help your child become a reading Star. I use eBay as my website. Search Instant Reading Help all my books will pop up for you. Lots of color pictures, a special comprehension method, and very interesting lessons. I never seem to run out of fun ways to teach reading. Thank you, Mary Maisner
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| Puppies playing in the river Carved into wood by Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) |
Thomas Bewick lived at a time when many men made their living by carving. Beautiful items were made by carving into gold and silver, even copper, and tin.
By this time in history more and more people could sign their names. Still, people had signet rings and signet blocks and signet lockets carved for them.
These signet items were special signs that stood for one's name, stood for one's signature. See the little word sign in signature?
After a document was written, these signet items were pressed into a blob of warm wax which was dripped on the bottom of the page. When the wax cooled and hardened, impressed upon it would be a lion, or a fox, etc. This wax sign was called a seal; the seal was a signature. We still use the word, seal, today, as in: the agreement was sealed with a handshake.
Young Thomas Bewick had the idea he could use metal carving tools to carve detailed pictures into a block of wood. After carefully carving the picture, he would dip it in ink, then press the woodcut onto paper. You can see Thomas Bewick's woodcuts online and at the your library.
Long before fingerprints were used to solve crimes, Thomas Bewick had the idea of using his fingerprint as a signature! He formed the habit of signing his name, then dipping his finger in ink and pressing his fingertip onto the paper near his name.
There is a word which refers to a special sign, like Bewick's fingerprint, or a special design someone draws when signing their name: paraph (pa raf, the 1st a is long, ph says f.).
Sometimes a paraph is a swirling curlicue, or a snaking line drawn under the name, or even a tiny animal. These days, paraphs are just for fun. Long ago, paraphs were an important way to know if a signature was genuine or a forgery.
You may like to look at the books I have to help your child become a reading Star. I use eBay as my website. Search Instant Reading Help all my books will pop up for you. Lots of color pictures, a special comprehension method, and very interesting lessons. I never seem to run out of fun ways to teach reading. Thank you, Mary Maisner
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