Reward of Merit

• Two small Reward of Merit cards
• 65 x 47mm (2½ x 1¾in)
• Published by W.D. (Possibly W.Dickes)
• Top card dated 1867 by hand on reverse

It was Robert Raikes (1736 – 1811), the founder of the Sunday schools movement, who introduced a system of rewards of merit in order to maintain discipline, good behaviour and attendance at his school on Sunday.

The Reward of Merit was given by the teacher to a pupil for amongst other things punctual attendance, good conduct and improvement at school.