Hard to believe that making students wear dunce caps was once a common practice--but so it was, extending well into the 20th century as a classroom practice. Pretty rare though to find a candid snapshot of a child wearing one in class though, which this does seem to be, complete with one boy looking as if about to throw something at the camera, and what looks perhaps to be the teacher standing in the back. Heartbreaking, though I do read at least some measure of defiance and "whatever"-ness in this young boy's expression, as if just another day at school, with the hat regularly making its way around the room.

4 3/4" x 2 5/8". General wear, crease to upper left corner and light surface stain along top age left side, all pretty minor.