1827 – Lifetime membership certificate from the American Education Society
Boston, Massachusetts: American Education Society, 1827. Unbound. This certificate, printed on bi-fold paper, attests that “the Rev Joseph B. Felt is a Member for Life of the American Education Society.” It measures approximately 8” x 9.75” folded . It was signed in Boston in 1827 by E. Cornelius, the secretary, and Samuel Hubbard, the president. In nice shape with a few small glassine mends on the reverse.
It features a large engraving by John Ritto Penniman of Jesus with his disciples standing before a large wheat field. Its caption reads
“The Field is the World, Matt. XIII: 38. / Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matt. IX- 37, 38.”
The certificate was addressed to Felt at Hamilton, Massachusett. Likely hand delivered as it bears not postal markings of any kind.
. Very good. Item #010834The American Education Society was founded in 1815 as the American Society for the Education of Pious Youth for the Gospel Ministry with a declared mission to raise funds for college expenses of young men who intended to become Protestant clergymen. In 1820, it shortened its name to simply the American Education Society with no change of mission. Headquartered in Massachusetts, it had no buildings, libraries, or other visible organizational structures.
The society was a resounding success and by the end of the 1830s about 25% of American college students, who were intending to become ministers, were at least partially funded by the Society or one of its fellow organizations. Although donors could request their contributions be granted to specific students, final decisions regarding the disposition of funds rested with the society’s directors.
(For more information, see Naylor’s “ Holding High the Standard: The Influence of the American Education Society in Ante-Bellum Education” in the History of Education Quarterly, volume 24 , number 4, available online.)
At the time of listing, no other certificates are for sale in the trade. The Rare Book Hub shows that a trimmed example without the “American Education Society” title was sold at auction. OCLC shows two institutions hold examples. We sold a similar certificate several years ago.
.Price: $200.00