Description
Stevens, Thomas. A Present from The Crystal Palace. Designed by Sir Josh. Paxton, M.P., Opened by the Queen, May 10, 1854. Length of Palace 1392 Ft. Breadth 384 Ft. Area of Park 192 Acres. Length of Hot Water Pipes 16 Miles. Height of Water Tower 284 Ft. Water in Tower Tanks 2500 Tons. Coventry: Thomas Stevens, [1868?] 23.7 cm x 5.2 cm. G. A. Godden says, “These Crystal Palace book-markers were woven there where a loom producing these beautiful specimens of silk weaving may be seen in operation daily, and specimens obtained.” The Machinery Department, Crystal Palace, Sydenham was the address given in print advertising, but the verso of the book-marker itself has the woven maker’s mark, “T. Stevens, Coventry.” This Stevengraph features an image of the Crystal Palace, and beneath this image is the information give above as the title of this souvenir book-marker in pure woven silk. Called a Stevengraph after Thomas Stevens (1828-1888), the inventor of a loom that produced examples of this fine mechanical weaving at his factory in Coventry. Woven on white silk with purple, red, green, black and gold. This is a woven picture of the Crystal Palace as it appeared after its move to Sydenham, the reconstruction took place from 1852 – 1854, where it stood until its destruction by fire in 1936. This book-marker probably dates from the late 1860s. Lacks a red tassel but otherwise fine condition. See: G. A. Godden, Stevengraphs and other Victorian Silk Pictures.
Peep Show Interior of Magnificent New CRYSTALLPALACE at Sydenham 1854
RICHMOND 1865 Vicksburg Fort Donelson GENERAL U.S. GRANT “I WILL FIGHT IT OUT ON THIS LINE.”
Hippodrome Program September 1902
