School merit certificate
Collection — Folder: S1529
Identifier: S1529
Scope and Contents
This collection includes a "20 Merits" pre-printed certificate (circa 1850-1900) with space for the pupil's and teacher's names and this printed inscription:
Would you excel--you must labor.
Would you be beloved--you must love.
Would you be respected--respect yourself.
Would you have others' smiles--impart your own.
Look up, and press onward!
Would you excel--you must labor.
Would you be beloved--you must love.
Would you be respected--respect yourself.
Would you have others' smiles--impart your own.
Look up, and press onward!
Dates
- circa 1850-1900
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Historical note
During the ninteenth century, rewards of merit were a popular way for teachers to recognize students' good behavior and academic achievement. Early certificates were often hand drawn, but as printing techniques improved, preprinted certificates with colorful images became more common.
Sources:
American Antiquarian Society. "Rewards of Merit." Accessed December 19, 2019. https://www.americanantiquarian.org/rewardsom.htm.
Onion, Rebecca. "School Certificates of Merit for Good Little 19th Century Boys and Girls." September 14, 2015. https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/09/history-of-rewards-in-schools-certificates-given-to-19th-century-students.html.
The Henry Ford. "School Reward of Merit, 1850-1900." Accessed December 19, 2019. https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact/389641.
Sources:
American Antiquarian Society. "Rewards of Merit." Accessed December 19, 2019. https://www.americanantiquarian.org/rewardsom.htm.
Onion, Rebecca. "School Certificates of Merit for Good Little 19th Century Boys and Girls." September 14, 2015. https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/09/history-of-rewards-in-schools-certificates-given-to-19th-century-students.html.
The Henry Ford. "School Reward of Merit, 1850-1900." Accessed December 19, 2019. https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact/389641.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of one item.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2019/12/19 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2019/12/19 by Laura Eliason.
- Title
- School merit certificate
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
