American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Large Centennial Exhibition stevengraph silk souvenir ribbon with multi-colored embroiderery featuring an image of George Washington at center beneath set of laurel leaves. On either side of George Washington are thirteen-star banners, with "Philadelphia / International - Exhibition" and the patriotic eagle and shield above his illustration. Just below Washington is Memorial Hall which housed the art exhibits of the Centennial. The bottom of the silk shows a modern factory, a steamship, a railroad and agricultural products representing the growing commercial strength of America and simultaneously representative of the city of Philadelphia. A flowing riband made of blue and gold thread and featuring the text "Centennial - United States - Independence" / "1776 - 1876" encompasses the bottom of the stevengraph. Small text on the bottom right and left of the piece identifies the names of the designer "J.B. Champromy" and printer "A. Larcher PA." Approx. 6 x 10 ¾ in. (sight), framed to 7 ½ by 12 ¼ in. (silk in good overall condition with some light soil, faint damp stain on the bottom, red thread in flag and on riband faded, frame with wear and some loss of its gilt paint). Wood frame may be original as stevengraphs were sold as souvenirs at the 1876 exhibition both with and without the frame.

[With:] Centennial ceramic mug with George Washington image on the front flanked by American flags and surmounted by an eagle. Below is text "George Washington / 1776." Reverse with “A Memorial / of / The Centennial / 1876.” Bottom bears manufacturer's mark of W. T. Copeland & Sons along with “Solely for J.M. Shaw & Co. New York” and “Trade Mark Registered 1876.” Gilt top and bottom rims as well as gilt to the handle. Approx. 3 1/8 in. diameter (small, scattered marks but overall very good condition).

[With:] Authorized Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition and Philadelphia 1876. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1876. 48pp, 4 1/2 x 6 3/4 in. Includes two fold out maps at front and back respectively, "Reference Map of a Portion of Philadelphia" and "Plan of the Grounds and Buildings of the Centennial Exhibition." Front cover with “The Only Guide Book Sold on the Exhibition Grounds.” (Orange cover with some fading, but text pages clean and unmarked, binding is tight. Maps are in good overall condition.).

[Also with:] 8 stereoviews on cardstock mounts from the 1876 Centennial Exposition (toning, some spotting, wear to mount edges and corners), all measuring approx. 7 x 4 ¼ in. Each with "International Exposition, 1876" on right of mount recto and "Centennial Photographhic Co. Philad'a" on left of mount recto. On back of four of the cards is written neatly in pen: "John Meigs /  Sep 23 ’76 / 25 cts." Included are inside and outside views of the Centennial: 1) Centennial Opening – The Orations 2) Horticultural Hall 3) Gov’t Building – Looking South 4) Lake from Machinery Hall 5) Centennial Grounds Looking East 6) Old Time Wind Mill Agr’l. Hall 7) Centennial Grounds 8) Building – General View from West End. 

The 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was the first official World's Fair to be held in the United States. The exposition celebrated the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and was an opportunity for the young country to showcase advances made in manufacturing, technology, as well as the arts.