1
Autograph Books
Many years ago it was quite customary for students to bring autograph books to school. Today when one asks for an autograph all that is given is a signature. These books were designed for autograph verses. Most students had these little verses memorized and were ready to write them in the book. It was always very special to have a favorite teacher, a best friend or a special boy or girl write in your book.
On the first page the owner of the book might write a verse like this:
Friends, companions, school mates dear
All your names are welcome here
All who love me I invite
In this little book to write
Each some memorial leaf entwines
In this little book of mine
A good friend might write this:
Remember this and bear in mind
A true friend is hard to find
But when you find one staunch and true
Change not the old one for the new.
Some were silly verses like these:
Father Moses caught a skunk
Mother Moses fried a chunk
Baby Moses ate a hunk
Holy Moses how it stunk.
or
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I’ll teach you to spit
If you give me a chew
A teacher might write something like this:
Sitting and thinking
Won’t change your fate
The lord provides the fishing
But you have to dig the bait
Often at the end of an autograph verse there was a little post script like:
Yours till butter flies
or
Yours till the ocean wears rubber pants to keep its bottom dry
2
Autograph Books
1948
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:
Bentley Museum Society