Brookfields Primary School in Birmingham recently received an unexpected mail containing a book that had been presented to a pupil over 120 years ago. The book in question, Father Tuck's "Book of Animal Life," bears witness to a bygone era, last recorded at the school in 1904, with a sticker on the inside front page.

According to the sticker's inscription, the book was a token of recognition for the good behavior of a child named Florence Taylor. Nobody anticipated this piece of history would resurface more than a century later.

A Quest to Return a Literary Gem

Cindie Raven stumbled upon the aged literary treasure at a charity jumble sale in Dorset. Intrigued by its historical significance, Raven embarked on a mission to return the book to its rightful home.

"I picked it up a couple of years ago, and it has been sitting in a box in my house," Mrs. Raven explained, emphasizing the historical value she recognized in this unexpected find.

Upon exploring the box, Raven discovered a sticker detailing the book's connection to the City of Birmingham Education Committee and its origin at Brookfields Primary School. Fueled by a sense of responsibility, she felt compelled to return the book to the school where it was first presented years ago.

Edward VII was King, and Albert Einstein was about a year away from publishing a paper on his Special Theory of Relativity when the book was given to Florence.

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A Legacy of Artistry

The London company Raphael Tuck & Sons published Father Tuck's books. Raphael Tuck and his spouse established the business in 1866. His sons joined him in 1870 to start a publishing venture.

The business was well-known for its kid-friendly books, postcards, and illustrated greeting cards. Father Tuck's "Book of Animal Life" is one of the publications from this publishing house. The company was a prominent player in manufacturing sought-after and collector goods throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Tuck company published children's books under the Father Tuck brand, carrying Raphael Tuck's legacy. Their involvement in movable books began around 1890, marked by the release of Father Tuck's Mechanical Series.

Embracing Tradition and Love for Reading

Leanne Mahony, the head teacher of Brookfields Primary School, expressed genuine joy upon the return of the long-lost literary gem. Reflecting on the changing times, Mahony mused that it is great to know that instilling a love for literature stayed the same from then until now, even with the inevitable changes that come with modernization.  

Mahony emphasized that books continue to be a crucial aspect of school life. The return of this century-old book provides a comforting sense of continuity to the enduring importance of nurturing a love for reading. Amid modernity, the return of Father Tuck's "Book of Animal Life" serves as a heartwarming reminder of the timeless value of literature in influencing young minds.

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