TWO HANDKERCHIEFS COMMEMORATING QUEEN VICTORIA’S DIAMOND JUBILEE.

Lithographs on linen, [each approx. 34 x 34 cm]; some minor marking, bit overall very good examples.


A pair of commemorative handkerchiefs illustrating the progress attained during Queen Victoria's Reign.

A rather interesting juxtaposition of contrasting achievements is displayed by the artist. The designs include a central medallion portrait of the queen in 1837 and 1897, surrounding this are examples chosen of progress:- a cannon /Maxim gun - hand reaping / cutting and binding machine - hand press / machine printing - wooden warship / an Ironclad - stagecoach/ west coast railway corridor train - hand weaver/machine loom - express messenger/ telegraphist - sailing ship crossing the Atlantic in 21 days/ liner crossing in 5½ days - and oil lamp / electric arc lamp.

The designer has cleverly juxtaposed emblems of the continents in each corner, that of 1837 having for India, Africa, Canada and Australia an elephant, lion, bison and kangaroo, however as a sign of civilising of an untamed Empire we have for 1897 a coat of arms, bizarrely that for the defunct East India Company, the South African Republic (the artist making a complete hash of the Latin legend), Canada, and the pre-Federation Australia.