1876 PHILADELPHIA CENTENNIAL George Washington Eagle STEVENGRAPH Bookmark Ribbon

1876 PHILADELPHIA CENTENNIAL George Washington Eagle STEVENGRAPH Bookmark Ribbon w/Red Tassel

Original souvenir silk bookmark, great condition. “The First In Peace” w/Eagle version with red tassel. Very vibrant blue, red, green and yellow silk colors. Attached to the original backing card, stating “900 different designs”.

“Centennial 1776-1876 Philadelphia U.S.A”. Image of George Washington and crossed flags. “George Washington. The first in peace, the first in ware, the first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Image of eagle. On bottom of backside, “T. Stevens Coventry England”

The silk is in great condition! A beautiful piece considering the age and rarity! Slight discoloration to the right of Washington’s head. Backer card has some minor tears toward the top, and was once folded. Please see photos for complete details. Approximately 1.525″ wide, 8.25″ tall (including 1.5″ long tassel). Backer card is 2.8125″ wide, by 4.375″ tall. Excellent piece!!

The item you see pictured here is the exact item you will receive.

About Stevengraphs:

In the mid-19th century the town of Coventry, England, was the center of a ribbon weaving industry. In 1860 the Cobden–Chevalier Treaty was signed; this free trade treaty introduced new competition into the industry, leading to a collapse in the local economy.

Thomas Stevens, a local weaver, responded by adapting the Jacquard looms used in Coventry to weave colorful pictures from silk. By 1862, Stevens could produce four different designs and by the late 1880s this had grown to over 900; they became known as “Stevengraphs”, after their maker. Many of these designs were used to produce bookmarks, while others were used to make greeting cards and other silk objects.

By the 1930s, Stevengraphs were considered collectable items. During the Second World War, Coventry was attacked by German bombers; on 14 November 1940 the Coventry Blitz occurred, destroying the Stevens factory and apparently all records of the Stevengraphs.

In the late 1950s it emerged that Henry Stephens, a descendant of Thomas, had saved one of the pattern books the night before the attack and kept it in safe storage; Henry donated it to the Coventry City Council, who in turn entrusted it with the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum. Stevengraphs became valuable, with more male collectors entering the hobby. Prices rose, particularly for unusual or rarer images less popular during the Victorian period.