< Back

Votes For Women Souvenir Official Programme [crepe paper Suffragette napkin].
Publisher: Burgess [Sarah], London;
Date of Publication: 1910
Stock Code: 11905
Pictorial crepe paper napkin approximately 37 cm x 38 cm with central text printed in black and surrounded left, top and right by portrait vignettes, from photographs, of 14 women, all enclosed within an elaborate floral border printed in purple and green. Lightly creased with very slight loss to left margin and small loss to lower edge. Souvenir napkins were first produced in Britain in the late nineteenth century to commemorate important events and celebrations, and Sarah “Auntie” Burgess printed a wide range to sell at her novelties shop just off the Strand. The featured event, held on 23rd July 1910, was a major suffragette political rally featuring 40 bands, with a double procession and details of how the demonstrators would form up to march to Hyde Park. The people illustrated by portraits include Adele Pankhurst, Mrs Pankhurst, Annie Kenney and Mrs Pethick Lawrence and they had all been imprisoned for their work in the cause of women’s suffrage. Women took part in the demonstration from America, Australia and South Africa as well as many from Europe, forming the Prisoners Pageant representing 617 prisoners. A fragile and rare survivor.

Sold