School Reward of Merit Given to Eliza Ann Spalding by Her Teacher Eliza Lucas, circa 1832

01

Artifact Overview

During the nineteenth-century, teachers recognized students with paper "rewards of merit." These small tokens commended a student's excellent work, perfect attendance, good behavior or other noteworthy accomplishments. Most were printed and colorful. Others like this one contained simple handwritten sentiments from the teacher to the pupil.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Reward of merit

Date Made

circa 1832

Creators

Creator Notes

Possibly made in Ontario, Canada or Port Huron, Michigan.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

30.1281.1.8

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Handwriting

Dimensions

Height: 3.875 in
Width: 4 in

Inscriptions

Reward of merit | For Miss Eliza Ann | Spaulding [sic] which is an | attentive young Scholar. | Eliza Lucas