An Introduction to the Tokens at the Foundling Museum

Janette Bright and Gillian Clark

When the Foundling Hospital opened in 1741, a token was left with each child as an identifier in case the child was later claimed.

These tokens took many forms: literate parents could leave notes or letters as identifiers, but those who could not read or write had to use something they could accurately describe when they came to reclaim their child.

Janette Bright and Gillian Clarke's catalogue looks at the history of the Foundling Hospital's magnificent and unique collection of tokens. 

Contents

• The Foundling Hospital and its Tokens
• Textiles
• Fashion
• Ribbons
• Baby Clothes
• Needlework
• Mothers and Babies

Foundling Museum, 2010
Paperback