Visual Materials
A collection of six (6) Reward of Merit cards, each with Reward of Merit printed on them, and each with a chromolithograph image. The cards range in date from 1859 to 1883. These cards were presented to students by their teachers for performance ( either academic or personal) well done. The cards vary in size, but are approximately 4 1/2 in. W x 3 in. H, except for Env. 6 which is 4 1/2 in. W x 7 in. H. A description of each follows. Env. 1 is entitled "A Token of Honor to a Diligent Scholar". A lithograph image of a group of fruit is printed on the front; this has been colored in with watercolor paints. A manufacturer and date are not printed, but it appears to be ca. 1880. "To Lottie from her teacher" is written in ms., in pencil, across the bottom, below the image. A note from DK accompanies this: "Currier or Currier and Ives? Very rare" The back of the card contains 2 ms. notes: "To Lottie from her teacher, Emma" and "15-" (price), both written in pencil. Env. 2 "Reward of Merit " is printed across the top of the card, and "Presented to" , "By" and "Teacher" are printed as well, all in gold. A chromolithograph image of three rabbits is centered on the card. The recipient, "Hattie Heald", is written in ms., as is "Minnie A. Mundall," the teacher. Neither a date nor printer is listed on the card; it appears to be ca. 1890. Env. 3 "Reward of Merit", "Presented to", "By" and "Teacher" are printed in gold on the right-hand side of the card; a chromolithograph image of two children at play is on the left-hand side. "Hattie L. Heald" (the recipient) is written in ms., as is presenter is "Martha A. Sampsen," the teacher. Neither a date nor printer is listed on the card; it appears to be ca. 1890. Env. 4 is a small merit card which reads "Bank of Industry Will Pay Ten Honors to" (printed) "Marilin Wilcox" (in ms.). The teacher's name, below the recipient's name, is too faint to read. The text in the upper right-hand corner reads: "Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1859 to A.C. Beaman in the Clerk's Office in the District Court of the Southern District of New York. Eng'd by W.I. Hamnby." The card is engraved, with two images of cherubs on the left and right-hand sides. It has been hand colored with watercolor. Env. 5 reads "Reward of Merit presented to" (printed) "Louise S. Bryant" by "S. B. Ring", Teacher." The text and decorative border are printed in gold. This card is vertically oriented; a chromolithograph scene is mounted to the upper portion of the card, above the text and ms. writing. Neither a printer's name nor a date are present; the card appears to have been printed ca. 1890. Env. 6 is the largest of the merit cards; this one is also vertically oriented. "Reward of Merit. Presented to" (printed) "Carrie Martin" (ms.) "By" (printed) "Nellie Earright" (ms.) "Teacher." The printing is in the lower right-hand quadrant of the card; the majority of the card is a chromolithograph image of a bird perched on a blooming cherry tree branch, against a blue background. "Copyright 1883 by S. Gibson" and "Gibson & Co., Cin., O." are printed along the bottom edge of the card. The upper right-hand section of the card is cut in the shape of an artist's palette, with a thumb hole. Written on the verso of the card, in ms., is "Reading- 98. Writing- 95. Spelling- 85. Arithmetic- 98."
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