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  1876 CENTENNIAL STEVENSGRAPH BOOK MARK WITH AN IMAGE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, MADE BY PHOENIX MANUFACTURING CO.

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 18.75" x 7.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 13.5" x 2"
Description....:
1876 CENTENNIAL STEVENSGRAPH BOOK MARK WITH AN IMAGE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, MADE BY PHOENIX MANUFACTURING CO. AND SOLD BY B.B. TILT & SON:

Stevensgraph (woven silk picture), in the form of a book mark, made as a souvenir for the 1876 Centennial International Exposition, held to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of American independence. This patriotic textile was produced by the Phoenix Manufacturing Company of Patterson, New Jersey and sold by B.B. Tilt & Son of Broom Street, New York City. The textile is accompanied by its original paper label bearing the names of both maker and seller [preserved in mylar on the reverse side of the frame].

The form is straight with a triangular wedge at the bottom, tipped with a maroon silk tassel. The finely executed imagery features an eagle at the top carrying the Stars & Stripes, below which is a bust-like portrait of George Washington, set within an oval window, framed with by a swag ribbon and fringed with ribbons below, at the tips of which are gold stars. Above Washington are his famous words "These United Colonies Are and Ought to Be Free and Independent States." Below are the names of the 13 colonies with Pennsylvania appearing prominently at their center (the location of the Expo). Below all of this is a colorful zigzagging ribbon with the dates 1776, 1876 and the following text: "In Commemoration of the Centennial of American Independence." Below is a narrow streamer with the "E Pluribus Unum" slogan and a patriotic shield with laurel and oak leaves.

The technology to make Stevensgraphs was developed by Thomas Stevens, a weaver in Coventry, England, who adapted a Jacquard loom to weave colorful pictures from silk. By 1862 he was producing four different designs and by the late 1880's he had approximately 900. Many were bookmarks, but there were greeting cards, postcards, and other formats.

Mounting: The gilded American molding dates between 1830 and 1860. To this I added a narrow black molding as a liner. The textile has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color, which was washed to reduce excess dye. The black fabric has been washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass.

Condition: There are no significant condition issues.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 13.5" x 2"
Latest Date of Origin: 18.75" x 7.25"
State/Affiliation: Pennsylvania
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

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