This is an antique 1915 Certificate of Award for an Altoona High School, Pennsylvania typewriting graduate.

The overall frame measures 10 3/4 inches high x 13 1/4 inches wide (27.3 cm x 33.6 cm). The certificate measures 9 1/2 inches high x 12 inches wide (24.1 cm x 30.5 cm).

I must say, I have never seen a typewriting award before. It didn’t occur to me they actually have classes for it. This person, Fannie Berman, had a record of 53 words per minute.

The certificate is signed by the Principal, the Head of the Commercial Department, the President of the School Board and the City Superintendent. This must have been a big deal back then!

There are water stains, mostly going along the bottom, but with a small one in the upper right corner. The rest of it appears to be in very good condition, with just some minor creasing. The frame has quite a bit of wear to the black finish. It is definitely original to the award, though the paper backing has fallen off.

It weighs a little over 1 lb. 3 oz. (548 g).