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  1876 CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION STEVENSGRAPH WITH PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON, RARE FORM & SIZE
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1876 CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION STEVENSGRAPH WITH PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON, RARE FORM & SIZE:

This rare form stevensgraph (woven silk picture) was made for the 1876 Centennial International Exposition in Philadelphia, a World's Fair event, held in conjunction with our Nation's 100-year anniversary of independence. While most stevensgraphs are the size of an average bookmark, this large format is highly unusual. Just above the center is a wreath of olive branches and a letter "W" under a portrait of George Washington. This is flanked by two 13-star flags with a billowing, stylized, elongated design that ends in a "V"-shaped swallowtail, tipped with tassels. Their 4-4-5 star pattern is very unusual. Above Washington's image is a spread-winged eagle and the words "Philadelphia International Exposition". The Fairmount Park Art Gallery is pictured below and is one of the only Centennial Expo buildings that still exist today. While immense in size and very extravagant, most of the buildings were only temporary. Some were as large as 21 square acres.

Below the art gallery are industrial images that relate to Pennsylvania. A ship, wheat sheaf and plow are part of Pennsylvania's state seal (though in different format). There are also images of a steam engine, a manufacturing plant of some sort, plus commodities such as petroleum, tea, and cotton bails to represent Philadelphia's textile industry. Below is a banner that celebrates the Expo and a signature that denotes that the textile is a souvenir made by J. B. Champromy, who was evidently the designer, and A. Larcher, the printer.

It is interesting to note that other examples of this same stevensgraph are known to exist with slightly different bindings, some of which have silk fringe.

Mounting: This is a sandwich-mount between 100% cotton velvet and u.v. protective acrylic. The mount was then placed in a highly unusual, step-down style, fluted molding that dates to the period between 1830 and 1860.

Condition: There is very minor toning and staining, but there are no serious condition issues.
   
Primary Color: white
Earliest Date: 1876
Latest Date: 1876
For Sale Status: Sold
Price SOLD
E-mail: info@jeffbridgman.com
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