In memoriam Sir Henry Irving

Souvenir paper table napkin commemorating the death of the actor Sir Henry Irving in 1905. The napkin includes a central portrait of the actor and is printed with a short obituary and the last words spoken by Irving in his stage role as Becket. The letterpress is surrounded by an inner black border and and an outer purple floral border.

Although similar souvenir napkins were usually mass printed to commemorate public events and ceremonies that took place in London from the late 19th to mid 20th century this example appears to have been produced simply as a cheap souvenir of the death of the much loved actor Sir Henry Irving. Sold by London's street traders it may subsequently have been framed and hung as decoration in working class home. The squares were imported into London from Japan pre-printed with a decorative border in up to 5 colours and a blank central area. Burgess was one of the main printer of such napkins. This firm was quick to respond to the demand for cheap souvenirs to commemorate key events.