Have you tried contacting the Institute of Education as they have a good archive of teaching materials etc. If they have a rubber coating wouldn't be Victorian - guess early 20th century - as this curious article from 1909 concerns the abolition of school slates (ie. real slate) because of the cost/associated health hazards/it made kids clothes dirty etc: http://www.llechicymru.info/slatesinschools.english.htm Although rubber was used in the 19th century I would think it would be too expensive to be used in this way. They would have previously been framed by a wood. Maybe this was a wartime measure (1914-18) when paper would have been short. Then maybe finally disappearing in the 20s and 30s (because probably continued in poor rural areas for some time). Just a guess but an educated one (excuse the pun) Liz _____________________________ Liz Walder Director Royal Society of Architects in Wales/ Cymdeithas Frenhinol Penseiri yng Nghymru 4 Cathedral Road Cardiff CF11 9LJ T 029 2022 8987 F 029 2023 0030 M 07501 466646/ 077 020 46 426 W www.architecture-wales.com ________________________________ From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bailey, Rachel Sent: 24 February 2009 15:04 To: Liz Walder Subject: Artificial school slates - any ideas HI Gem I am trying to catalogue some school slates we have inherited - they appear to be made from thick cardboard with a rubberized black surface coating. Unframed rectangles 30x25cm approx with very rounded corners. I am wondering what era they originate from - before I take a wild stab in the dark - any ideas? Thanks in anticipation Rachel Rachel Bailey Artefact Librarian Islington Education Library Service Bellside House 4 Elthorne Road London N19 4AG Tel: 0207 527 5524 ************************************************************************ **************** This e-mail and any attached files are confidential and may be legally privileged; please note however the information contained in this e-mail may be subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Unless the information is legally exempt from disclosure, the confidentiality of this e-mail and your reply cannot be guaranteed. If you are not the addressee, any disclosure, reproduction, copying, distribution or other dissemination or use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error please notify the sender immediately and then delete this e-mail. Any part of this e-mail which is purely personal in nature is not authorised by London Borough of Islington. If you wish to re-use the information, perhaps for commercial purposes, in a way which, without permission, might breach our copyright, please first read our policy on Re-use of Public Sector Information which can be found on our website http://www.islington.gov.uk/freedomofinformation or alternatively e-mail [log in to unmask] Contact Islington switchboard: +44 20 7527 2000 www.islington.gov.uk <http://www.islington.gov.uk/> ************************************************************************ **************** ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender. Royal Institute of British Architects 66 Portland Place, London, England W1B 1AD Charity Number: 210566 **********************************************************************