PETER COOPER
Certificate awarded to a student who took Cast Drawing at his free night school.
Partly Printed DS: "Peter Cooper" as President, 1p, 16x13¼. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, New York, 1881 May 1. Countersigned: "Geo. W. Plympton, A.M., C.E." as Director. In full: "This is to Certify, that Walter Chippendale has attended the Course of Instruction given during the Term of 1880-1881 in Cast Drawing in the Free Night School of Science and Art of this Institution, and after an examination has been awarded a Certificate of the First Grade." Vignette of the school is captioned: "whatsoever things are true". Caption across bottom indicates Chippendale received the highest award: "A Certificate of the First Grade is granted for superior ability and diligent attention". Cooper Union was founded by philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1858 "for the Advancement of Science and Art". The school, which provided free courses in science, chemistry, electricity, engineering and art, is still in existence. On November 25,1874, the Greenback Party was organized in Indianapolis, Indiana. It advocated withdrawal of all national and state bank currency and substitution of paper currency issued by the government. At its convention held in Indianapolis May 16-18, 1876, Peter Cooper was nominated for President. In the November 7, 1876 election won by Hayes, Cooper received 81,737 popular votes of the 8.4 million cast. Stained at margins affecting 3 printed words. Lightly creased, slightly soiled. Large 4-inch signature.